Thai trade with FTA partners rises 21.8% to US$243.7bn

Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement partners rose by 21.8% year on year to US$243.67 billion in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than half of the country’s total global trade.

The Department of Trade Negotiations said exports to several FTA markets expanded strongly, including Singapore, Australia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and India. Agricultural, food and industrial exports also continued to grow.

Chotima Iemsawasdikul, director-general of the department, said free trade agreements remained an important mechanism for creating commercial opportunities and preserving Thailand’s competitiveness, despite continuing challenges from geopolitical tensions, protectionist measures and uncertainty across global supply chains.

FTAs support Thailand by expanding export markets, connecting the country with international production chains and improving access to raw materials needed by domestic industries, she said.

These benefits have allowed trade with FTA partners to continue expanding and have helped Thailand’s trade and manufacturing sectors adapt to changing global conditions.

FTA partners account for 57.3% of Thailand’s trade

Between January and June 2026, trade between Thailand and its 18 FTA partners reached US$243.67 billion, up 21.8% from the same period a year earlier.

The partners covered by the figures include ASEAN members, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Peru and Chile.

Trade with these markets represented 57.3% of Thailand’s total trade with the world.

Thailand exported goods worth US$105.49 billion to its FTA partners, an increase of 12.6%, while imports from those markets rose by 30% to US$138.18 billion.

The department said the figures showed that more than half of Thailand’s international trade was conducted with countries covered by FTAs.

The agreements help reduce trade barriers, provide tariff advantages and give Thai businesses greater opportunities to expand into overseas markets more effectively.

China remains Thailand’s largest FTA trading partner

China remained Thailand’s largest trading partner among countries covered by FTAs, with bilateral trade valued at US$91.51 billion.

Trade with China accounted for 37.6% of Thailand’s total trade with its FTA partners.

China was followed by Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and India. These countries are important export markets and also serve as production bases connected to Thailand’s regional and global supply chains.

Thai exports to several FTA partners recorded substantial growth during the first half of the year.

Exports to Singapore increased by 74%, while shipments to Australia rose by 43.9%.

Exports to Laos grew by 36.4%, followed by Malaysia at 27%, Vietnam at 20.2%, Japan at 12.9% and India at 10%.

The department said the expansion reinforced the importance of FTA markets as a major driver of Thai exports.

Agricultural, food and industrial exports grow

Growth was supported by several promising product categories.

Among agricultural and food products, exports of fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit increased by 16.8%, while exports of processed chicken rose by 7.6%.

Several industrial product groups also recorded continued expansion.

Exports of gems and jewellery rose by 26%, while shipments of integrated circuits increased by 20.6%.

Exports of computers, equipment and components grew by 18.5%, followed by rubber products at 10.4% and vehicles, equipment and components at 3.8%.

The department said the figures demonstrated continued demand for Thai agricultural, food and industrial goods across FTA markets.

Imports largely support investment and production

Although imports from FTA partners grew at a faster rate than exports, Chotima said most of the imported goods supported investment and domestic production.

More than 75% of the value of imports from FTA partners consisted of raw materials, intermediate goods and capital goods.

Key imports included electrical machinery and components, integrated circuits, mechanical machinery, chemicals, iron, steel and related products.

These goods are important for improving manufacturing efficiency, creating greater value for Thai products and strengthening the country’s ability to compete in global markets, she said.

Thailand to accelerate new FTA negotiations

During the second half of 2026, the Department of Trade Negotiations plans to continue expanding and upgrading Thailand’s network of free trade agreements.

The aim is to create new trade opportunities and strengthen national competitiveness as global trade conditions change rapidly.

The department will seek to advance negotiations on the Thailand-European Union, Thailand-South Korea and ASEAN-Canada free trade agreements in line with their respective schedules.

Thailand will also work to upgrade existing agreements, including the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement.

In addition, the department plans to push forward the full Thailand-Peru free trade agreement towards signing.

Officials will continue to monitor developments in global trade and new trade measures introduced by Thailand’s partners.

Thailand will also coordinate with other ASEAN members to strengthen supply-chain resilience and ensure that Southeast Asia remains an open and well-connected region, as well as a major global base for trade, investment and manufacturing.