Thailand Targets 2.6 Billion Baht in Tapioca Orders at New Trade Summit
Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade launched Thai Tapioca Nexus 2026 to secure 2.6 billion baht in foreign orders, connecting over 300 international importers from Asia, the Middle East and beyond with local producers and SMEs to expand
The Department of Foreign Trade has organized Thai Tapioca Nexus 2026 to build networks and create long-term business opportunities, expecting foreign orders worth 2.6 billion baht. Arada Fuengtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, revealed that the event serves as an important platform connecting the government, private sector, SME entrepreneurs, experts, academics, and foreign trading partners to exchange knowledge, technology, innovation, and marketing insights while building cooperative networks and concrete business opportunities.
In today's trade landscape, partners care not just about product quality but also standards, transparency, environmental responsibility, and supply chain reliability—the foundation of long-term trade trust. Thailand has the potential to develop production, processing, technology, and standards systems to deliver high-value tapioca products that meet global market demands and future industries, guided by the Bio-Circular-Green Economy model to use resources efficiently, reduce carbon footprint, and support Net Zero goals sustainably.
"The Department of Foreign Trade is committed to advancing Thailand's tapioca industry under the concept 'Adding Value Toward a Sustainable Future,' through three pillars: quality leadership, confidence support, and innovation acceleration. We will enhance quality and standards, build trust through transparent and efficient verification systems, and strengthen Thailand's tapioca competitiveness in global markets sustainably," Arada said.
The event featured an academic seminar titled "Thai Tapioca on the World Stage: Reinforcing Supply Security, Building Innovation, Opening Trade Opportunities" with speakers including Dusit Pithyadhikun, chairman of the Thai Tapioca Flour Association; Dr. Keokool Piyajomkwan, a tapioca flour expert; Associate Professor Pramod Paengkham, an expert on tapioca use in animal feed industries; and Associate Professor Suphaphorn Kiarti Sin, chair of the International Thai SME Business Promotion and Development Center at the Thai SME Federation. Participants gained insights on upgrading the tapioca industry through innovation and enhancing Thai entrepreneurs' capacity, particularly SMEs, to expand trade opportunities in foreign markets.
More than 300 participants attended, including importers from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Hong Kong—all important markets with potential to adopt Thai tapioca products across multiple industries. Approximately 60 business networking sessions were organized, and the event is expected to generate at least 2.6 billion baht in economic value while giving Thai entrepreneurs access to new trading partners, market expansion, and entry into global value chains.
Arada noted that this event continues the Department's proactive market promotion strategy through ongoing negotiations with importers in Fukuoka and Tokyo, Japan; business matching in Chongqing, China; launching high-value products in Germany; and protecting trade interests in the United States, where Thai tapioca flour maintains zero-percent tariff exemption under Section 301.
