Trade/Thailand Exports

Editorial staff

Thailand's exports in January 2025 reached a value of US$ 25,277.0 million (862,367 million baht), marking a continuous growth for the seventh consecutive month at a rate of 13.6 %.

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn director general of Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), said Thai International Trade Thai exports of real sector (excluding gold, oil-related products, and weaponry) increased by 11.4 %. This growth was supported by continued expansion of trading partner economies, inflation returning to target levels, and increased manufacturing activity.

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn

These factors align with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast, which estimates that the global economy will grow by 3.3 %, reflecting rising confidence in both the manufacturing and consumer sectors.

Additionally, exports to major trading partners such as the US and China showed strong growth, benefiting Thailand’s exports of capital goods and raw materials. However, uncertainty remains due to potential shifts in US trade policies, which could put pressure on international trade.

Thai exports in January 2025 increased by 13.6 % to US 25.27 billion, while imports increased by 7.9 % to US 27.15 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of US 1.88 billion.

Thai exports of agricultural and agro-industrial products grew by 0.14 % (YoY). Agro-industrial products expanded by 3 %, while agricultural products contracted by 2.2 %. Thai exports of industrial products grew by 17.0 % (YoY).

Exports to primary markets increased by 11.2 %. The markets that saw growth included the US (+22.4%), China (+13.2%), Japan (+1.9%), the EU (27) (+13.8%), ASEAN (5) (+4.8%), and CLMV (+5.2%).

Regarding the export outlook of 2025, the ministry expected that Thailand’s exports will grow by 2-3 % for the year. This growth is supported by several factors, including the expected expansion of the global economy, driven by manufacturing sector growth, the easing of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the rise in global food prices, which reflects increased demand for agricultural and food products.

Additionally, there is an opportunity for increased exports to the US, as it seeks to replace imports from China.

However, several challenges remain and must be closely monitored, such as ongoing global trade tensions, the risk of a new inflation crisis in the US, and the impact of Russia’s oil export restrictions, which could affect energy prices and shipping costs. Further concerns include trade policy measures, such as US tariff hikes and the surge of Chinese goods into global markets.

In response to these uncertainties, Thailand must maintain trade balance, diversify market risks, and implement appropriate measures to mitigate potential impacts while also seeking opportunities to maximize benefits from the challenging situation.