The company also plans to establish two pork processing plants of its own in the North-east within the next three years.

Narongchai Srisantisaeng, senior vice president for regional and feed operations, said the Khon Kaen office of subsidiary Betagro Agro Industry signed a 25-year contract with the city.

Standards at the plant will be raised to meet Livestock Development Department requirements, and the facility will also have to pass an environmental impact assessment and certify that its products are healthy, according to The Nation.

"Khon Kaen is the business centre of the North-east, and it can help promote a healthy swine market in the region. This is why the Betagro Group selected Khon Kaen's pork processing plant. Consumers can be assured of high quality and safe pork," Mr Narongchai said.

"We can also help swine farmers increase their income, as we'll have contracts with them to buy their pigs."

Betagro will take seven months to raise the standards and expects to process 480 pigs a day by year-end. Fifteen per cent of the end product will be sold in the Northeast through Betagro shops, with the rest distributed to regional markets and restaurants.

The group already owns three pork processing plants through its Betagro Safety Meat Packing subsidiary, in Chiang Mai and Phatthalung provinces.