Betagro Group is optimistic that its sales revenue this year will hit 100 billion baht for the first time despite the economic slowdown at home and abroad.
Executive vice-president Narongchai Srisantisaeng said 85 billion baht of the total would come from domestic sales and the remaining 15 billion baht from its operations abroad.
He noted, however, that this year's sales revenue growth would be 8%, a relatively low rate compared with the 12-14% growth averages the company has enjoyed in recent years.
He said overall prices for livestock have yet to recover.
"We're fully confident that we can achieve 8% growth in sales revenue, as the company is focusing more on launching new products, as well as targeting both health-conscious consumers and younger people who expect convenience," he said.
Betagro's business now covers the establishment of animal feed and livestock development representatives in response to growing demand in these emerging markets.
The group currently exports semi-processed and processed meats under various brands to 40 countries and territories worldwide, mainly to Japan and Europe.
The company in January this year restructured its business to only include two major business groups -- agrobusiness and food business -- down from 4-5 business groups in the past.
It is also committed to expanding its distribution outlets this year to 170 nationwide, up from 150 at present.
Betagro plans this year to invest five billion baht in Thailand, mainly in setting up a food innovation centre, food complexes in the northern, northeastern and southern provinces, and breeders.
The company will also continue investing abroad, focusing mainly on Asean countries. New investment this year is projected at one billion baht, primarily in Cambodia and Laos.
The company plans to set up a a pig farm and open a Betagro shop in Siem Reap this June.
Betagro last May opened an animal feed plant in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone, with monthly capacity of 6,000 tonnes.
In Laos, the company plans to set up an animal feed facility in Vientiane and a pig farm in Pakse. Construction of the facility is scheduled to get underway in the middle of 2018.
Mr Narongchai says Betagro aims to open a Betagro shop in Pakse. It is also in talks with local partners in Myanmar to set up an animal feed plant and broiler farms there.