Page 23 - FoodFocusThailand No.243 July 2026

SPECIAL FOCUS

Organic food exports were valued at THB 1,496 million and proteins, and functional food segments facing intense
declined at a rate of 12.9%. This reflects challenges related to competition and weakening demand in key export markets.
higher prices and limited demand among niche consumer groups. Nevertheless, future food exports continue to gain importance
Furthermore, many consumers are shifting their preferences within Thailand’s overall food export sector. The share of
toward functional products rather than solely “organic” products. future food exports increased to 10.0% of total food exports
As a result, organic food remains a specialized niche market in Q1 2026, up from 9.1% in 2025, indicating that this sector
rather than a mainstream segment at present. continues to strengthen its structural role within the country’s
export system.
Latest Situation of Thailand’s Future Food Industry: Looking at the broader trend, the first quarter of 2026
Q1 2026 should be viewed as a period of market adjustment rather
Thailand’s future food exports experienced a short-term than structural decline. Long-term growth continues to be
slowdown in Q1 2026, but the long-term growth structure remains driven by global trends in health and wellness, personalized
intact. Export value during this quarter reached THB 31,649 nutrition, and increasing demand for functional foods. These
million, representing a 10.5% decline. This contraction reflects factors support Thailand’s potential to maintain its position as
broader pressures affecting Thailand’s food exports, including a regional hub for high-value food production, despite short-
a slowdown in the global economy, declining prices of certain term volatility arising from global economic uncertainty and
agricultural commodities, and volatility in logistics costs. Despite weaker purchasing power in major export markets.
this short-term decline, the underlying market structure remains The future of Thailand’s food industry lies not only in
unchanged, with functional foods and functional ingredients increasing export volumes, but in transforming into a leader
continuing to serve as the core drivers of Thailand’s future food in health food innovation. By integrating upstream innovation
export sector. with downstream product development and meeting global
From a structural perspective, a clear “two-speed market” standards, Thailand can move from the “Kitchen of the World”
has emerged. On one hand, specialized high-value products, toward a global hub for future health and wellness foods.
particularly medical foods and specialized protein products,
continue to expand, supported by growing health awareness
and population aging. On the other hand, some categories are
experiencing declines, including certain beverages, alternative More Information Service Info C001

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