Heat Wave Drives Thai Air Conditioner Exports to Europe Up 40%

Thailand's air conditioner and component exports to Europe surged 40.7% in May 2025, reaching $148.6 million—the highest in seven months—driven by an unusually severe and early heat wave across the continent. Nanthapong Jiralertpongse, director of the Office of Trade and Commercial Strategy at the Commerce Ministry, revealed that the spike reflects strong demand as European importers and retailers rushed to stock inventory ahead of the summer peak. Over the first five months of 2025, total air conditioner exports to Europe reached $783.9 million (approximately 250 billion baht), up 18.9%, with heat pump systems growing 70.6%, air conditioner components expanding 49.6%, and window-mounted models rising 21.6%.

Germany leads as the top export market with $30.8 million in exports, up 89.6%, followed by France (up 50.9%), the United Kingdom (up 58.2%), and Spain (up 42.2%). Northern European markets are showing even stronger gains, with Finland expanding 366.6% and Sweden jumping 177.3%, reflecting structural market shifts where only about 20% of European households currently own air conditioners, well below the global household average of 37% in 2022.

Looking ahead, demand for air conditioners in Europe is expected to remain strong through the third quarter as the continent faces a fresh, more intense heat wave beginning late June, with temperatures in many countries approaching 40°C. The World Meteorological Organization forecasts above-normal temperatures across Europe from July through September 2025, particularly in Southern and Central Europe, driven by intensifying El Niño conditions. However, growth in the European market remains subject to strict environmental policy conditions, prompting Thai manufacturers to focus on energy-efficient, high-performance air conditioners and heat pump systems that align with EU energy and carbon-reduction policies while closely monitoring increasingly stringent environmental regulations.