Aug exports close to forecast, Chinese market slump

People wearing protective face masks walk on a street in Shanghai, on Sept 21, 2022. Thailand's exports to China dropped 20% last month. (Reuters photo)

Exports rose slightly less than expected in August as global demand for food products increased, but oil-related shipments fell and exports to China slumped, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday.

Exports, a key driver of Thai growth, increased 7.5% in August from a year earlier, versus a forecast 7.7% rise in a Reuters poll, and against July's 4.3% increase.