Fruit emerged as Thailand's top agricultural export last year, with a turnover of 6.51 billion USD, exceeding the five-year average of 5.86 billion USD. This accounted for 22.6% of the nation's total agricultural exports, as reported by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, TPSO's director-general, noted the global demand surge and the appeal of Thai fruit's high quality, variety, and unique flavors as contributing factors.
In 2024, Thailand generated 5.15 billion USD from fresh fruit exports. Key exports included durian, longan, mangosteen, young coconut, and mango. China dominated as the primary export market, receiving 97.4% of shipments, followed by Hong Kong (China), the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and the US.
Poonpong acknowledged the heavy reliance on the Chinese market for fresh fruit exports and recognized the challenges posed by increased competition, particularly for durian. Since 2023, China has permitted imports of Thai durian but has also allowed imports from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, alongside implementing stricter import regulations.
To retain competitiveness, he emphasized the necessity for Thailand to adapt and explore new markets, such as the US, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. The Thai Commerce Ministry aims to boost exports by identifying new potential markets, supporting value-added processing of agricultural products, and devising strategies to manage fruit production, ensuring market stability.
Source: Vietnam+