Thai Exports Surge 19.6% in Nine Months, Led by Agricultural Products
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The Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) of the Ministry of Commerce revealed an analysis of Thailand's export structure for the first nine months of 2026, highlighting strong growth in high-value agricultural products and processed agricultural goods, particularly Thai fruits, pet food, and processed chicken, reflecting potential to enhance competitiveness and create sustainable growth.
On October 30, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supaporn Suwathanapong emphasized the importance of upgrading agricultural and food products, promoting high-value agriculture, adding value through processing, and expanding foreign markets to strengthen competitiveness through quality, standards, and innovation, while increasing income for farmers and entrepreneurs throughout the production chain.
TPSO Director Nantapong Jiraluckpong stated that Thailand's exports in September 2026 were valued at $38.4389 billion, expanding 24.0% from the same month last year, bringing the first nine months' total to $304.5886 billion, up 19.6% amid global economic and trade challenges.
Agricultural and agro-industrial products reached $39.9155 billion, accounting for 13.1% of total exports, with many items still showing growth potential. The first group, high-quality agricultural products, especially Thai fruits, remains a key strength. Fresh, chilled, frozen, and dried fruits in the first nine months were valued at $6.582 billion, up 13.9%, while September alone grew 34.8% from key markets, especially China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Standout products include fresh durian, with nine-month exports of $4.6939 billion, up 28.7%, and September growth of 70.1%, driven by a 72.6% increase in exports to China. Fresh mangosteen accumulated $492.4 million, up 2.7%, while fresh longan in September grew 44.1%. Spices and herbs reached $253.1 million, up 10.5%, and orchids grew 4.1%.
This growth reflects the importance of quality, taste, uniqueness, and safety standards in creating differentiation and meeting quality-conscious consumers. Maintaining consistent quality, developing traceability systems, and managing fresh agricultural logistics are key factors for long-term competitiveness.
The second group, processed agricultural and food products, saw pet food exports of $2.7088 billion in nine months, up 11.1%, with September growth of 17.2%, reflecting opportunities to develop quality, standardized, and diverse products. Processed chicken reached $2.517 billion, up 7.7% for nine months and 13.5% in September, demonstrating the ability to add value to raw materials through production, processing, and product development meeting international standards.
Other processed foods also grew well: seasonings up 5.7%, canned and processed vegetables up 6.4%, and dextrins and modified starches up 5.2%, exemplifying the transformation of agricultural raw materials into value-added products with diverse applications in food and downstream industries.
The TPSO director noted that despite overall agricultural and agro-industrial products contracting 1.9% in the first nine months, with some basic agricultural commodities facing price competition and changing demand from trading partners, the growth of high-value and processed products signals a positive structural shift.
