Page 22 - FoodFocusThailand No.243 July 2026

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THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THAILAND’S

FOOD EXPORTS AMID THE TRANSITION

TO A HIGH-VALUE ECONOMY

Thailand’s future food exports are playing an increasingly significant role in the country’s food export structure.
In 2025, Thailand exported future food products worth THB 136,984 million, accounting for 9.1% of total
food export value, up from 8.3% in 2022. This trend reflects the continued expansion of value-added foods
focused on health and nutrition, despite the limited growth of Thailand’s overall food exports. The increasing
share indicates a structural transformation from a quantity-driven model toward one centered on quality,
innovation, and specialized functional benefits.

Thai Functional Food: Downstream Markets Drive While Thailand’s functional food industry remains strong in
Growth, Upstream Creates High Value downstream markets, there are opportunities to strengthen
In 2025, Thailand’s functional food and functional ingredient upstream capabilities as a pathway toward long-term value
exports generated revenue of THB 124 billion, accounting for creation and innovation.
90.5% of total future food exports and reflecting their role as Overall, Thailand’s functional food industry demonstrates
the core pillar of the country’s health food industry. However, strong competitiveness in downstream markets but still faces
the revenue structure remains dependent on downstream gaps in upstream development. The country has successfully
products rather than upstream segments of the value chain. produced and marketed finished products that consumers can
Export activities are concentrated in functional foods, valued easily recognize and adopt. However, in the long term, Thailand
at THB 55,054 million, and nutrition-adjusted products, valued should focus more on developing functional ingredients into
at THB 41,840 million. Together, these segments account for proprietary brand assets and innovation platforms.
more than 78% of total future food exports, reflecting Thailand’s
strength in developing products that directly address consumer Medical Foods, Alternative Proteins, and Organic
needs. In particular, the functional beverage segment serves Foods: Niche Opportunities in The Future Food
as a key growth driver, with fruit juice exports reaching THB Market
29,248 million and achieving an average annual growth rate The medical and personalized food segment recorded
of 14.6%. This indicates that global markets are responding export revenue of THB 6,475 million in 2025, with a growth
positively to “health-experience products” that communicate rate of 3.6% during 2023–2025. Key products include foods
clear health benefits and are easily accessible. for patients, infant nutrition products, specialized proteins,
Meanwhile, functional ingredients generated export and dietary products for specific medical conditions. Growth
revenue of THB 17,482 million, with an average annual in this segment is driven by population aging and increasing
growth rate of 2.5%, and are regarded as the “Hidden Power demand for nutrition tailored to individual health needs. As a
Market” or upstream foundation of the health food industry. result, this segment represents a high-value, quality-driven
Key products include plant extracts, vitamins, medicinal market with significant long-term growth potential.
herbs such as ginger and turmeric, as well as flavor and The alternative protein segment generated export
aroma compounds. These products play a strategic role in revenue of THB 5,013 million but experienced a decline of
driving innovation and strengthening the industry’s long-term 8.3% over the past three years, despite continued global
bargaining power. Although functional ingredients account for market expansion. Major products include plant-based
only 14.1% of future food exports, they serve as a “source milk, soy milk, and plant-based meat alternatives. However,
of differentiation” in global markets. Herbal ingredients have Thailand’s alternative protein industry faces intense price
grown at an average annual rate of 12.3%, reflecting increasing competition, while domestic brands remain less established
interest in “Ingredient Stories,” including product origin, than international competitors. In addition, consumer adoption
scientific validation, and clearly demonstrated health benefits. has expanded gradually and has not yet reached a significant
breakthrough.
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