Thailand accelerates ambition to become global food trading hub

Thailand is speeding up its ambition to position itself among the world’s leading food-exporting nations amid global concerns over food security, supply chain resilience and sustainability that continue to reshape international trade.

Thanks to its agricultural abundance, manufacturing capability, innovations and culinary identity as both economic engine and soft power, Thailand is currently ranked the world’s 15th-largest food exporter. The country is now aiming to break into the top 10 on the global ranking. Central to that ambition is the effort to shift beyond commodity exports to higher-value products, food innovation and future-focused food technologies that respond to changing consumer behaviour worldwide.

That broader strategy will be on full display at an upcoming major event organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse. THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026, one of Asia’s largest food and beverage trade exhibitions, returns to Impact, Muang Thong Thani from May 26 to 30. This year's theme is “BIGGER – BETTER – BOLDER”.

The scale of this year’s edition reflects the growing momentum behind Thailand’s food export ambitions. Organisers expect the exhibition to generate more than 130 billion baht in trade value, while attracting over 90,000 visitors from more than 130 countries.

More than 3,600 companies across 6,700 booths from 56 countries and regions will participate this year, marking another expansion in both international presence and exhibition size. The event now spans 140,000 square metres, including the newly added IMPACT Forum Hall 4, making it the largest edition to date.

For Thailand, the event has become more than a commercial trade fair. It is increasingly viewed as a strategic platform to strengthen the country’s position in the global food economy while showcasing the diversity and innovation of Thai food products to international buyers.

Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, DITP’s director, said the competitive landscape in the food industry is changing rapidly as businesses adapt to rising costs, shifting supply chains and tighter international regulations.

Competition today, she said, extends far beyond pricing. Increasingly, buyers and consumers are placing importance on food safety, traceability, quality standards and ESG compliance, all of which are becoming critical requirements in global trade.

“Food security has become an important issue for many countries, while demand for more diverse food products continues to rise,” she said.

This year’s exhibition reflects those changing priorities, with a strong emphasis on future food, sustainability and innovation-led growth.

The exhibition features nine major sectors covering beverages, fine food, frozen food, fruits and vegetables, meat, rice, seafood, sweets and confectionery, alongside food technology and processing solutions.

At the same time, organisers are placing increasing focus on emerging sectors such as plant-based products, functional food, specialised nutrition, halal food, organic products and sustainable packaging.

One of the key highlights this year is “Future Food Experience+”, a platform exploring trends shaping the future of the food industry, including AI-driven food production, supply chain sustainability and evolving retail formats.

The programme includes startup showcases, innovation exhibitions and discussions involving global food industry experts, entrepreneurs and technology developers.

Among the newly introduced features are “Taste the Future”, where chefs create tasting menus using innovative ingredients from across the exhibition, and “New-to-Market Street”, which gathers more than 200 food and beverage products launched within the past year.

Thailand’s agricultural strengths will also be prominently featured through “THAILAND: The Land of Tropical Fruits”, a showcase presenting Thai fruits in both fresh and processed forms aimed at modern global consumers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Internal Trade is promoting premium Thai agricultural products under the concept “Discover Thai Premium Fruit & Finest Rice”, highlighting products such as durian, mango, mangosteen, jasmine rice, riceberry rice and locally crafted rice spirits as part of Thailand’s move toward higher-value exports.

Dr Kitsana Vachekrilas, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the long-term objective is to strengthen Thailand’s position in the global food supply chain while creating more export opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs, SMEs and food innovators.

“We want to elevate Thailand into one of the world’s top 10 food-exporting countries in the future, in line with the ‘Thai Kitchen to the World’ policy,” he said.

The growing international footprint of the exhibition also reflects wider changes in global sourcing patterns. New participating countries this year include Armenia, Finland, Georgia, Lebanon and Mongolia, while Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uzbekistan are expanding their presence through larger national pavilions.

As geopolitical uncertainty, climate challenges and changing consumer demands continue to transform the global food industry, Thailand is positioning itself not only as a major food producer, but increasingly as a regional hub for food innovation, trade and culinary influence.