Export sector still slightly in negative territory
Export in the second quarter is leaning towards the negative territory due to slow transportation given that many markets are still under lockdown, said Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director-general of the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office.
She said the office will evaluate the situation again this month and the next.
Assuming that exports in the second half of this year stands at US$20.5 billion per month, the entire year’s exports will register at -0.5 per cent, and exports stand at $21 billion per month, then the sector will see 0 per cent growth, she said.
The export of farm produce and industrial farm products in April expanded 4 per cent per annum, while rice export rose 23.1 per cent.
Shipments to key markets also rose, especially to China and Japan where the Covid-19 situation has improved. Exports to China in April jumped 9 per cent, mostly in relation to fresh, dried and frozen fruit.
