The government expects merchandise exports to sustain a record-breaking momentum this year, betting that a flurry of new free trade agreements (FTAs) will offset the loss of last year’s one-time shipping surge.
According to the latest figures from the Viet Nam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), in January 2026, Viet Nam exported 1,014 tons of star anise, bringing in $4.2 million in revenue, with the Thai market showing a growth rate of 271%.
The Indonesian government has announced plans to export 2,280 tons of premium rice to Saudi Arabia to meet the consumption needs of around 200,000 Indonesian pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season.
China is steadily emerging as a key importer of Thai palm oil for use in the food industry, creating fresh opportunities for Thailand to broaden its export base. Nantapong Jiralertphong, Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Commerce, stated stronger demand from the Chinese market supports Thailand’s strategy to expand trade links and enhance market resilience.
As two neighboring countries located on the Indochina Peninsula, in the lower Mekong River basin, Viet Nam and Cambodia have increasingly developed good relations in recent years, becoming deeper, more practical, and more effective in various fields.
Thailand border trade reached THB 1.937 trillion in 2025, up 6.7% year-on-year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce, with the country maintaining a solid trade surplus despite regional disruptions.
The Philippines has resumed rice imports, but Viet Nam's rice exports and rice market still face significant challenges.
Trade between Cambodia and India expanded by 19 percent year-on-year in 2025 and reached a total value of $410 million, reflecting growing economic ties between the two countries.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
