Free trade agreements (FTAs) have pushed Thailand into becoming the largest exporter of agricultural products in the ASEAN region, according to Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke.

The Thai government is driving the policy of expanding FTA negotiations with Thailand’s trading partners in order to promote Thailand’s trade and investment opportunities, enhance its competitiveness, and increase its exports to the world market.

The Government Spokesperson quoted statistics compiled by the Ministry of Commerce that Thailand’s agricultural exports to its FTA partners expanded by 4 percent to 19,563 million US dollars in 2023. The value represents 73 percent of Thailand’s total agricultural exports.

Thai exports of agro-processed products to the FTA partners amounted to 15,074 million dollars, an increase of 2 percent and accounting for 67.3 percent of Thailand’s total agro-processed exports in 2023. Major importers include China, with a growth rate of 11 percent, and ASEAN countries, with a rise of 5 percent.

Thai agricultural and agro-processed products that have great potential for export to the county’s FTA partners include rice, coffee, and fresh, frozen, and dried fruit.

The Government is in the process of formulating a plan to reduce production costs, increase productivity, and raise income for Thai farmers. Both Thai and foreign experts are working together on the plan, under the principles of “market-led, innovation drive, and income growth.” 

In this regard, executives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co. met on 14 February 2024 to discuss the plan to reduce electricity fees for the agriculture sector, introduce the use of clean energy in major agriculture projects, and develop data to facilitate marketing and production planning in response to the market demand. Moreover, an application will be created as a trading channel for farmers to contact with consumers in the form of “From Farm to Table.”

The Government Spokesperson stated that the Government believes that FTAs will benefit Thailand’s agricultural exports and that innovation and online and on-ground marketing will provide greater opportunities for Thai farmers and entrepreneurs.