The change in focus to high-value-added products and innovation plus the impact of natural disasters on different parts of the world will boost the Kingdom's food exports to Bt1.1 trillion in 2014, representing average growth of 10 per cent per annum from this year.
The National Food Institute (NFI) has also targeted export growth of 7.5-10 per cent, from Bt751 billion last year to between Bt793 billion and Bt826 billion this year, spurred by the global economic recovery.
"Major food-importing countries will return to the market following the global economic recovery, while a projected fall in production in some other countries will also help boost Thai exports," acting president Amorn Ngammongkolrat said yesterday.
He predicted a period of sustained growth for local food exports in the coming years. Not only will the increased demand for consumption drive growth, but also rising concerns about food safety and high-value-added products will push up export value in the long run.
As well, natural disasters will lead to a lower supply of crops in export rivals, which will increase export prospects for Thailand, he said.
To achieve the food-export target, the NFI has introduced six strategies to be implemented in the next five years:
l Promotion of food innovation and technology in accordance with the government's creative-economy policy of. Innovativeness will increase the export value of Thai food products.
l A focus on food safety standards and production lines. The NFI will emphasise upgrading Thai food manufacturers to comply with international safety standards, including GMP, HACCP, BRC and ISO 22000.
l Promotion of Thai enterprises to increase efficiency in business administration and competency, in order to reap the benefits from free-trade agreements.
l Promotion of the food industry to adapt to rising concerns for corporate social responsibility and the environment, in order to ensure competitiveness amid rising non-tariff barriers and stringent import rules in each market.
l An emphasis on developing the image of Thai products and branding in international markets and promote Thailand as a major world supplier, one that increases food security in the world market.
l The institute itself will accelerate modernisation and increasing its efficiency, in order to enable development of the local food industry.
In addition, benefit from the Asean Free-Trade Agreement (AFTA) and FTAs between Asean and partner countries, particularly Japan and China, will drive exports of Thai food to those markets.
At present, food exports account for 8.3 per cent of the Kingdom's export value. Exports to the US, the EU and Japan accounted for 15 per cent each.
Amorn said the market share of exports to other Asean members is expected to increase gradually, due to benefits under AFTA. To boost the export potential of Thai foods to Asean markets, he suggested producers focus on halal food as major populations in many Asean countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, are Muslim.
Asean has a population of 580 million people, and almost half of these are Muslims.
Vice president Orawan Kaewprakaisangkul said full AFTA implementation would help boost exports of Thai rice and rice products, tapioca, sugar and poultry.
However, some products may be adversely affected by AFTA. Shrimp exports, for instance, will face high competition from Vietnam.
AFTA will help lower production costs in some products by making available raw materials cheaper. However, higher labour and logistic costs and a strengthening baht will be negative factors affecting Thai food-export competitiveness this year, Orawan said.
