Thailand Pushes Fruit Exports to 332.5 Billion Baht

Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion is targeting fruit export revenues of 332.5 billion baht in 2025, representing 5% growth from last year's 192.5 billion baht in fresh fruit exports. The department has adopted an aggressive export strategy covering market expansion, logistics management, and digital commerce promotion. Key initiatives include advance purchase negotiations, business matching, and new market development with trading partners including China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and the UAE, generating combined trade value exceeding 3.12 billion baht. The government is accelerating logistics coordination, particularly by extending operating hours at major border crossings in Vietnam and China to improve efficiency in shipping fruit to southern China and reduce seasonal congestion.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Suttarumphand has tasked Commerce Ministry assistant Piyanuach Wuttisonn with surveying transport routes through the Huu Nghi border crossing in Vietnam to prepare for increased Thai fruit exports to China. Officials will coordinate with relevant agencies to streamline logistics, border procedures, and shipping efficiency through the Huu Nghi-Youyiguan corridor, a critical route for Thai goods entering the Chinese market.

The government is also promoting Thai fruits through China's live commerce platforms, using key opinion leaders to conduct live-streaming sales targeting modern consumers through real-time retail, which has become a major growth engine for Chinese retail markets. April export data shows strong momentum: durian exports grew 109.5%, rambutan 92.8%, and lychee 70%, reflecting recovery in Thailand's fruit export sector. With domestic durian production expected to reach 2.07 million tons in 2025—a 33% increase—the department aims to export one million tons to global markets, primarily expanding beyond China's major cities to 11 high-growth secondary cities including Yinchuan, Yueyang, Urumqi, Nanchang, Baicheng, Liuzhou, Changsha, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, and Dalian. Marketing activities including Thai Tropical Fruits Golden Months promotions, in-store campaigns, trade missions, and trade fairs will be conducted with department stores, importers, local retailers, and influencers.