Thai Sugar Terminal Pcl (TST) has partnered with food-tech start-up Thai Ento Food Co Ltd, a pioneer and major producer of cricket protein powder under ‘Sixtein’ brand, to build Thailand’s first industrial facility for cricket protein powder.
Both partners aim to elevate Thailand to be a global production hub for cricket powder with projected sales figures to exceed Bt 1 billion (US$27.2 million) by the end of 2025 with 70% of sales to derive from international markets.
Thai Ento Food Managing Director, Teeranut Rungsuwan said the joint-venture has strengthened the potential of the company, which is the country’s first large scale industrial producer of cricket powder. He added, “It will go a long way to solidify our position as the leader in cricket powder production in Thailand, which is vital to achieving a goal of transforming Thailand into a global production hub of cricket powder, therefore helping to generate income that will benefit communities in upcountry, the farming sector, and the country.”
Demand for insect proteins has been increasing particularly in major markets like the US, China and Europe and is currently estimated to be worth US$400 million and will reach US$2 billion by 2027. So far, Thailand has managed to secure a modest share in the export markets as the country’s industrial production of the insect food products is still in the nascent stage.
Chanachai Chutimaworaphan, CEO of TST, is optimistic of Thai Ento Food potential as it has outstanding innovative processing technology thanks to its collaborative R&D with a leading local university, thus enabling production of high-quality protein powders which are main ingredients to increase protein in processed foods in the food manufacturing industry. TST is also optimistic of the future of novel proteins like insect powders.
Thai Ento Food is the first in the country to use bespoken Isec Technology at its production facility which ensures minimal waste while ensuring high precision to produce light colour and odorless powder. The facility has also received FSSC 22000 (Food Safety), ISO 22000, HACCP and GHPs food safety certifications.
TST investment will include a cricket powder facility commercially operational in final quarter of 2022 with maximum production capacity of 1,200 tons a year, potentially jump 10-fold within a year. To achieve this ambitious objective, close collaboration between the company, cricket farmers, protein-rich food producers and other business players are essential.
