Page 36 - FoodFocusThailand No.238 January-February 2026

SPECIAL
SPECIAL REPORT REPORT

AN ANALYSIS OF THAILAND’S

FOOD EXPORT SECTOR:

FROM A YEAR OF ADJUSTMENT TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

THROUGH “FUTURE FOOD”

The food industry remains one of the most important pillars of Thailand’s economy, contributing significantly
to export earnings, employment generation, and overall economic stability. In the previous year, Thailand’s
total food exports reached approximately THB 1.7 trillion, reaffirming the country’s position as a trusted
supplier in global food markets. Thailand’s long-standing strengths in agricultural resources, food processing
capabilities, and food safety standards have enabled the sector to remain competitive over time.

In the current year, however, Thailand’s food export 10.4% compared with the same period last year. Despite this
sector has faced mounting challenges. A synchronized slowdown, Thailand continues to post a food trade surplus
global economic slowdown, heightened geopolitical of more than THB 55 billion, underscoring the sector’s
uncertainty, rising production and logistics costs, and resilience. The current contraction reflects a decline in
increasingly complex trade regulations have placed export value rather than a structural weakening of production
sustained pressure on export performance. These factors capacity, allowing the food industry to continue serving as a
have shifted the operating environment from expansion stabilizing force for the national economy.
to one of consolidation and adjustment, particularly in key Product-level performance has been uneven. Processed
markets such as the United States and the European Union. chicken and chicken-based products recorded growth of
approximately 5–7%, supported by strong demand from
Export Slowdown Amid Continued Structural Japan, the European Union, and the Middle East, as well as
Resilience continued confidence in Thailand’s food safety and animal
During the first ten months of 2025, Thailand’s food exports health standards. Meanwhile, pet food and selected ready-
totaled approximately THB 1.35–1.45 trillion, representing to-eat products continued to expand at mid- to high-single-
a year-on-year decline of 3–6%. In October 2025 alone, digit rates, driven by global trends toward premiumization,
export value fell to THB 109,471 million, a decrease of convenience, and specialized nutrition.

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