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The Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) forecasts exports will rise 2-3 per cent this year, but concedes that a stronger baht – the fast-|rising currency in Asean this year – could rein in expansion of overseas shipments.
Nopporn Thepsithar, TNSC chairman, said that exports appeared to be resuming a growth pattern this year with an improved global economy and gradual rises in global crude prices. These factors could boost agricultural product prices, Nopporn added.
The value of exports shrank 2.75 per cent in February to US$18.47 billion, from the previous year. But for the first two months of this year, exports climbed 2.5 per cent to $35.57 billion.
However, Nopporn said an unclear US economic policy drove back foreign capital, and this was reinforced by the recent rise in the US benchmark interest rate rise. Higher interest rates in the US, together with the fallout from the negotiations for Britain’s exit from the European Union, are among the pressures on Thailand’s export performance.
Vallop Vitanakorn, TNSC vice chairman, said that the Thai export outlook remains satisfactory, athough he shared the concerns posed by a stronger baht. Thailand's agricultural product exports also are also seeing an improvement, Vallop said.

OLDER SHOPPERS SEEN AS PRIZED MARKET
 
Tetra Pak, a food processing and packaging company, has released a report on marketing to senior citizens worldwide. 
The report looks into how the food and drink industry can capture this growing market, with the spending power of older people tipped to reach at least US$10 trillion (Bt344.7 trillion) by 2020.
It also found that consumers aged over 60 will represent a quarter of Thailand’s population by 2040. Alongside China, the Kingdom will have the highest share of elderly people in East Asia; this represents a significant opportunity for Thai “consumable” manufacturers, the company said.
Asia-Pacific is home to about 60 per cent of the world’s population aged over 60. By 2050, this is projected to double to nearly 1.3 billion. 
To outline how to cater to this lucrative group, Tetra Pak based its study on insights from 27 countries, including Thailand. Focused on the world’s fastest-growing consumer segment, the study investigated consumer trends in food, packaging and shopping experiences to identify product opportunities for producers. 
Findings show that 59 per cent of those aged over 60 are willing to pay extra for products that are specially designed for the elderly, and 88 per cent equate product value with high quality.
“Thailand’s senior citizens represent a rapidly expanding yet less-documented demographic that creates a strong opportunity for manufacturers to respond to their needs. To illustrate this, in 2016 some 11 per cent of the Thai population were aged over 65, compared to 5 per cent in 1995,” said Ratanasiri Tilokskulchai, marketing director of Tetra Pak, Thailand. “With increased spending power, and greater emphasis on health, our research shows that Thai food and beverage companies who focus on creating products for this age group will be able to access a dynamically increasing loyal customer base.”
Packaging is also defined as an important factor for manufacturers, with 59 per cent of seniors stating that packaging plays a crucial role in their purchasing decisions.