Thailand looking to export more cassava into China’s massive market

The Ministry of Commerce is working with Thailand’s private sector to increase exports of cassava and its processed products to the immense Chinese market.

Arada Fuangthong, Director-General of the ministry’s Department of Foreign Trade, stated that a joint Thai public-private delegation is visiting China this week to seek business matching opportunities, to increase shipments of locally-grown cassava and related produce to China.

Arada said, as the Chinese New Year falls in late January this year, with an associated increase in market demand, the business matching activities are aimed at retaining existing importers, while reviving old importing outlets and exploring new ones.

The senior official anticipates that an increase in cassava exports, by as much as 120,000 tons, worth over 1.7 billion baht, is expected be secured through new memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between Chinese importers and the visiting Thai exporters.

According to the official, there are many more opportunities for Thai exporters and producers of quality cassava products in the huge Chinese animal feed, paper, glue and alcohol manufacturing industries.

Based on official statistics, exports of Thai cassava and related products to China reached 3.87 million tons in the first 11 months of 2024, worth over 53 billion baht.

The figures accounted for over 64% of overall volume exported and nearly 52% of the revenues earned from Thailand’s shipments of raw cassava and its processed products to the world market, which has boosted both the prices of the crop and the incomes of both local producers and exporters.