Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement (FTA) partners reached US$243.669 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of 21.8 per cent compared with the same period last year. The Department of Trade Negotiations said FTAs continue to support market access, production links and Thailand’s competitiveness in international trade, reports
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Between January and June, Thailand exported US$105.494 billion worth of goods to FTA partners, up 12.6 per cent, while imports rose by 30 per cent to US$138.175 billion. Trade with FTA partners accounted for 57.3 per cent of Thailand’s total trade during the period.
China remained Thailand’s largest FTA trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$91.513 billion, or 37.6 per cent of trade with FTA partners. India was also among the key markets for Thai exports. Shipments to the country increased by 10 per cent in the first half of 2026.
Thai exports recorded growth across several product categories. Shipments of fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit increased by 16.8 per cent, while processed chicken exports rose by 7.6 per cent. Among industrial products, exports of electrical integrated circuits grew by 20.6 per cent, computers and components by 18.5 per cent, rubber products by 10.4 per cent, and automobiles, equipment and components by 3.8 per cent.
FTA cooperation is also supporting Thailand’s production sector by facilitating access to raw materials, intermediate goods and capital goods. More than 75 per cent of imports from FTA partners consisted of these categories, providing inputs for manufacturing and contributing to higher value-added production.
In the second half of 2026, Thailand’s Department of Trade Negotiations plans to further develop existing trade agreements and expand opportunities for exporters. The authorities will also continue monitoring global trade developments and strengthening supply-chain cooperation to support Thailand’s role as a regional centre for trade, investment and production.