Institute upbeat on food export outlook

Workers process shrimp for export at a factory in Songkhla. The production of key food items used as raw materials, such as pineapple, cassava, shrimp and tuna, may decrease, according to the National Food Institute. Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

Thai food exports have a promising outlook this year, with shipments forecast to eke out growth of 2.1% to 1.5 trillion baht despite economic uncertainty in developed markets, inflationary pressure, foreign exchange volatility, rising production costs and drought.

According to Anong Paijitprapaporn, director of the National Food Institute, the main supporting factors include the government's policies to revive the economy, the country's reopening following the pandemic, a shortage of food throughout the supply chain, concerns about food safety, and the high quality and safety of Thai food products.