Thailand Leads Global Seafood Exports at $6.7 Billion
Thailand's $6.7 billion seafood export industry is shifting toward sustainability, with the government prioritizing ecosystem protection and international food safety standards over production volume alone at a major Bangkok summit.
Thailand has emerged as a world leader in seafood production, with exports reaching $6.7 billion. The Agriculture Ministry is championing a sustainable fishing and aquaculture model at the GSA Responsible Seafood Summit 2026.
Ingon Panjakij, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, speaking on behalf of Deputy Minister Wachraphol Khaokhram at the summit held at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, emphasized that modern seafood industry success depends not just on production volume, but on balancing economic potential with ecosystem health.
Thailand is determined to move beyond its role as a mere processing center to become a leader in sustainable marine resource management. The country is focusing on protecting coastal ecosystems, restoring mangrove forests, and conserving biodiversity. All seafood products must meet international standards for food safety, environmental responsibility, and supply chain traceability.
Amid global volatility and climate change, the seafood industry faces a critical turning point. The summit provides a vital platform to address challenges across multiple dimensions: sustainable aquaculture and digital transition, climate change adaptation, alternative feed and responsible sourcing, animal welfare and social responsibility, and ensuring smallholder farmers access to value chains.
Thailand's seafood sector demonstrates its global importance through impressive statistics. In 2568, Thailand processed over 4.37 million tonnes of seafood from domestic production and imports, comprising domestic output of 2.31 million tonnes valued at over $5.4 billion and imported raw materials of 2.06 million tonnes worth approximately $4.5 billion for value-added processing.
Exports reached 1.67 million tonnes valued at over $6.7 billion, with canned tuna accounting for 34.4% and shrimp for 18.3% of seafood exports. Key markets include the United States, Japan, ASEAN, China, and the Middle East. These figures reflect Thailand's capacity to serve as a genuine global hub for seafood production, processing, and trade.
Over the four-day conference, participants will exchange best practices across the entire supply chain, from source to processing to market. The collaboration between government, private sector, and academia is expected to spark practical recommendations and innovative approaches to support a resilient seafood industry capable of addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.
