Krungthai COMPASS Research Center reported that Thailand's agricultural and agro-industrial exports contracted by 3.4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of decline. This was pressured by slowing markets in China and the US, as well as the impact of the Middle East conflict, which caused exports to the Middle East to plunge by 32.6%, particularly rice and canned seafood. In the agricultural products category, which accounts for 53% of total export value, exports were flat at -0.01%. Meanwhile, the agro-industrial category, which accounts for 47%, reversed to a contraction of 7.9%. Among key products, rice contracted by 17.1%, cassava by 36.1%, and sugar by 17.0%. However, fresh, chilled, frozen, and dried fruits continued to expand by 12.9% due to demand from China, especially durian, which grew by 28.8%. For the 2026 outlook, exports still face risks from rising costs, tight supply, intense competition, El Niño conditions, and trade barriers imposed by the US and the European Union.
Thai rice exports contracted 17.1% due to weak demand
Thai sugar exports fell 17.0% amid competition and trade barriers
