Bangkok: Thai exports achieved a historic milestone in May 2025, recording the highest monthly export value ever, with a significant expansion of 18.4%, underscoring the resilience and strength of Thailand's production and trade sectors in the global market.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced that the Ministry of Commerce reported Thai exports in May 2025 reached a value of 31,044.6 million dollars. This marks an impressive 11th consecutive month of expansion and the highest growth in 38 months since March 2022. The remarkable performance was largely attributed to the growth in agricultural and agro-industrial products, which saw an 8.1% rise, marking a return to expansion after 3 months. Agricultural products expanded by 6.8% after 5 months of contraction, while agro-industrial products grew by 10.1%, continuing a 2-month growth streak. Key contributors to this growth were fresh, chilled, frozen, and dried fruits, processed chicken, plant and animal fats and oils, seafood, wheat products, cassava products, and processed fruits.
Additionally, industrial exports witnessed a remarkable 22.9% growth, maintaining a growth trajectory for 14 months. Significant products driving this expansion included computers and their components, automobiles and related parts, machinery, electrical circuits, and gems and jewelry, excluding gold.
The export growth extended across various market groups. Primary markets expanded by 19.0%, with notable growth in the US market at 35.1%, China at 28.0%, the European Union at 16.6%, and CLMV countries at 20.8%. However, there was a slight contraction in the ASEAN (5) market by 0.3% and Japan by 0.9%. Secondary markets saw an 18.6% rise, with South Asia growing by 22.3%, the Middle East by 22.8%, Africa by 21.4%, and the United Kingdom by 20.0%. However, other markets experienced a contraction of 15.0%.
In the first five months of 2025, Thai exports have grown by 14.9%. Noteworthy products and markets included industrial products with a 22.9% increase, driven by computers, cars, and gems, excluding gold, and agricultural products such as fresh fruits and cassava. Important markets showing robust growth were the US, China, the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and the European Union.
Over the past eight months, Thai exports have expanded by 13.3%, generating a total revenue of 215,798.1 million dollars or 7.23 trillion baht. The continuation of this positive trend could mark a golden year for Thai exports.
Ms. Sasikarn emphasized the government's commitment to closely monitoring trade conditions and risk factors to ensure trade stability and fairness. The ongoing global economic recovery, delayed US tariff retaliations, and rising demand for technology products, in line with digital economy growth, contribute to a positive outlook for Thailand's trade sector.