Agricultural imports jump in first quarter after drought, virus
Thailand’s agricultural trade in the Asean market rose by 5.1 per cent to Bt113.566 billion in the first quarter of 2020, year on year, driven by a rise in imports.
However, total agricultural exports fell 6.99 per cent to Bt75.415 billion from last year, the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) announced on Thursday (June 18).
The core exports were sugar and sugar products, non-alcoholic beverages, and livestock.
Meanwhile agricultural imports from Asean neighbours jumped by 41.43 per cent or Bt38.151 billion, consisting mainly of vegetables – especially cassavas and green beans – fish and other aquatic animals, and rice and grain.
Maize was imported in high quantities after crops in Thailand were hit by drought and pests.
Thailand’s first-quarter trade surplus in the Asean market dropped by 31.13 per cent year on year to Bt37.264 billion. Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia were Thailand’s top three regional trading partners.
Cambodia received Bt14.336 billion or 19.01 per cent of total Thai exports, consisting mainly of non-alcoholic beverages and pigs. Malaysia and Indonesia accounted for 16.20 per cent and 15.90 per cent of Thai farm exports, respectively.
Agricultural production in Thailand has slowed since the end of 2019 due to early drought and the economic impact of Covid-19.