Thailand plans to export tapioca products, with a focus on modified starch and native starch, to new markets including the Philippines, New Zealand and Japan.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), said the department implemented a strategy to increase the commercial value of Thai tapioca products.
The strategy involves engaging high-potential private sector partners to diversify export markets, reduce dependence on a single market, strengthen price negotiation power for exporters, stabilise domestic prices for farmers and enhance the global competitiveness of Thailand's tapioca industry.
In the third quarter, the department plans to target new markets including the Philippines, New Zealand and Japan, which have strong animal feed industries and are seen as capable of absorbing future Thai cassava output.
While New Zealand previously imported Thai tapioca residue pellets, it reduced imports due to high global tapioca prices.
The department wants to lift demand for high-value tapioca tablets, ensuring a secure market for Thai farmers for the 2025/26 crop year.
Mrs Arada said Japan is Thailand's second-largest tapioca export market, accounting for 8.4% of total tapioca export value.
In the first half of this year, Thailand exported 206,832 tonnes of goods worth 4.6 billion baht to Japan, primarily modified starch. This marked a 18.5% year-on-year decline in value and 1.1% decrease in volume.
The Philippines ranks seventh, accounting for 2.4% of Thai tapioca exports. In the first half of this year, Thailand exported 65,737 tonnes valued at 1.29 billion baht, mainly modified starch, marking a decrease of 27.6% in value and a 13.4% drop in volume year-on-year.
New Zealand contributed 0.36% to Thailand's total tapioca export value, ranked 18th. During the same period, Thailand exported 29,879 tonnes worth 197 million baht, primarily tapioca residue, a 36.6% year-on-year decline in value and a 13.7% drop in volume.
During the first half of this year, Thailand exported 5.02 million tonnes of tapioca products, a 39.4% increase. However, export value dropped by 11.1% year-on-year to 54.6 billion baht due to falling global tapioca prices since early 2025.
Mrs Arada said the DFT targets exporting 7.5 million tonnes of tapioca products this year, with China accounting for 51.4% of the total volume, followed by Japan (9.41%), Indonesia (7.41%), Malaysia (4.12%), the US (4%). Other nations accounted for 23.7%.
Source: Bangkok Post
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<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
