Thai export market shows robust recovery as global economy slowly wakes up

At the same time, Thai imports rose by 29.79 per cent to $21.25, especially the import of fuel, which rebounded with 45.11 per cent growth.

Thai exports have recovered strongly as global demand picks up amid progress on Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide.

The pace of the sector’s recovery coincided with the Global Manufacturing PMI of 55.8, which is the highest in 11 years. Underpinning an increase in output was a substantial improvement in New Export Orders Index from the previous month to 54.7, reflecting an improvement in consumer purchasing power and increase in import demand with an optimistic view about future output levels.

However, though exports have risen, imports have also increased by 29.79 per cent to $21.25 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of

$182.48 million. For the first four months of 2021, Thai exports expanded by 4.78 per cent to $85.58 billion, while imports rose by 13.85 per cent to $84.88 billion, resulting in trade surplus of $698.14 million.

Products with strong expansion in April 2021 were:

• Agricultural and food products such as cassava products, rubber, vegetables and fruits, fresh, chilled and frozen chicken, palm oil, beverages, pet food and food seasonings

• Products related to ‘work-at-home’ and home appliances such as computers, furniture and parts, air conditioners, microwave ovens, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines and parts, radio and television receivers and parts, and cellphones and parts

• Covid-19 related products such as rubber gloves, medical equipment and parts

• Products related to the manufacturing sector such as steel and products, chemicals, plastic resins, and electronic circuit boards, and

• durable goods or luxury goods such as automobiles and parts, and gems and jewellery (excluding gold).

Export products

Agricultural and agro-industrial product exports rose for five consecutive months at the rate of 7.3 per cent year on year (YoY) in April. Products that expanded favourably were rubber (85.2 per cent), fresh, chilled, frozen and dried vegetables and fruits (22.3 per cent), cassava products (40 per cent), beverages (30.6 per cent), pet food (11.3 per cent).

However, the export of some products dropped, namely, rice (-53.6 per cent), sugar (-33.7 per cent), frozen, canned and processed seafood (-12.7 per cent), canned and processed vegetables and fruits (-6.8 per cent). For the first four months of 2021, Thai agricultural and agro-industrial product exports rose by 6.2 per cent (YoY).

Industrial product exports also rose for two consecutive months with a growth rate of 12.4 per cent (YoY). Products expanding favourably included oil-related products (61.9 per cent), automobiles, equipment and parts (135.9 per cent), rubber products (55.5 per cent), computers, equipment and parts (28.7 per cent), air conditioners and parts (72 per cent), machinery and parts (29.9 per cent), gems and jewellery excluding gold (106.5 per cent), motorcycles and parts (165.3 per cent).

Meanwhile, exports of some products declined, such as cosmetics, soaps, and skincare (-3.9 per cent), switch and electric control panels (-4.2 per cent), transmission apparatus for radios, fax, phones, and televisions (-9.3 per cent). For the first four months of 2021, Thai industrial product exports expanded by 4.3 per cent YoY.

Export markets

• Exports to main markets rose by 15.8 per cent.

Export to the US, Japan, and EU expanded by 9 per cent, 2.7 per cent, and 52.5 per cent, respectively.

• Export to potential markets rose by 18.8 per cent.

Exports to China, South Asia and CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) grew by 21.9 per cent, 149.9 and 44.3 per cent, respectively. On the contrary, exports to Asean fell by 4.4 per cent.

• Exports to emerging markets rose by 47.8 per cent. Exports to Australia, Latin America, Africa, and Russia and Commonwealth rose by 39.1 per cent, 82.3 per cent, 25.3 per cent, and 50.1 per cent, respectively. Moreover, exports to the Middle East rebounded with 65.7 per cent growth.

Prospects and promotion strategies for 2021

Thai export can expect to see a continuous, robust recovery, reflected by the following:

• Industrial product exports have grown steadily for four consecutive months;

• Oil-related product exports are growing due to an increase in export prices and foreign demand;

• Many countries are expediting Covid-19 vaccine rollouts and more accessible and faster vaccine distribution will enhance consumer and producer confidence.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has come up with many policies and activities to promote Thai exports such as online business matching, trade negotiations through online channels in parallel with delivering sample products to partners, cooperation with department stores in foreign countries to organize sales promotion activities, for example, Walmart in the US, and Halal-product business matching, etc. Furthermore, the Commerce Ministry successfully coordinated with Chinese authorities to allow the Dongxing border point to be an additional import channel for Thai fruits. In this regard, Thailand also ensured Chinese importers about the country’s Covid-19 prevention measures in fruit products.