Latest news with #WorldTapiocaConference2025
Bangkok Post
30-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Transport solutions sidestep border conflict
The border closures with Cambodia have affected land transport, leading to a shift towards shipping via alternative routes, says the commerce minister. Commerce Minister Jatuporn Buruspat said the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and checkpoint closures along the border have snarled land transport and logistics previously reliant on routes through Cambodia to reach Vietnam. In response, businesses have turned to alternative solutions, leveraging sea transport and alternative land routes via Laos. The number of shipping lines servicing shipments to Cambodia has increased, while freight costs have fallen. However, over the past week businesses have become concerned about the potential risks associated with the border clashes, prompting many to temporarily halt their trading activities, said Mr Jatuporn. He said if the border closures continue, there is a risk Thai products in Cambodia could be replaced by imports from other countries. To counter this, the ministry is exploring other markets to mitigate potential risk. Mr Jatuporn said the border closures have also impacted Thai investments in Cambodia. According to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), the value of Thailand's border trade with Cambodia tallied 80.7 billion baht, representing growth of 11.2% year-on-year, during the first five months of this year. Thailand's exports rose by 9% to 63.1 billion baht and imports expanded by 20% to 17.7 billion baht. In May, Thailand's border trade exports with Cambodia grew by 7% to 16.1 billion baht and imports increased by 6.2% to 12.9 billion baht. Trade in June is expected to have decreased due to checkpoint closures since June 7, which suspended the movement of people, some commerce, and both Thai and foreign tourism, said Mr Jatuporn. The DFT previously estimated if the checkpoints remain closed until the end of the year, Thailand would lose border trade worth more than 60 billion baht with Cambodia. He directed provincial commerce offices in the seven Thai provinces adjacent to Cambodia to monitor product availability and pricing to avert shortages and prevent price gouging. High-demand essentials such as instant noodles, canned fish, mosquito repellent spray, and diapers for children and adults are being replenished through collaboration with retailers, alongside ongoing inventory management strategies. Mr Jatuporn presided over the World Tapioca Conference 2025 Wednesday in Bangkok. The event attracted more than 1,000 participants from Thailand and other countries, including industry leaders and importers. During the conference, Thai producers and exporters signed memoranda of understanding with international importers to sell more than 1.48 million tonnes of tapioca products worth roughly 10.9 billion baht. The agreements are expected to utilise 3.57 million tonnes of local fresh cassava roots. In 2024, Thailand's tapioca exports totalled 6.47 million tonnes, generating revenue of more than 110 billion baht. In the first half of this year, exports tallied 5.02 million tonnes, a 39.4% year-on-year increase, but the export value dropped by 11.1% to 54.6 billion baht, primarily due to lower global tapioca prices.
Bangkok Post
25-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Exclusive Interview: 'Arada' Aims to Retain Thailand's Position as World's Top Tapioca Exporter
The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce is gearing up to host the World Tapioca Conference 2025 (WTC 2025) in Bangkok, positioning Thailand firmly on the global stage as the world's leading tapioca producer and exporter. Mrs Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, explained that 'The Ministry of Commerce, led by Mr Jatuporn Buruspat, Commerce Minister, has placed great emphasis on the importance of tapioca as an economic crop that generates income for more than 740,000 Thai farming households, with annual earnings exceeding 100 billion baht.' 'Under the government's policy of we are driving the industry to focus on market-oriented production, enhance quality and standards, and adopt sustainable processes with added value from innovation,' she said. 'The DFT remains committed to the Ministry of Commerce's approach, ensuring integrated collaboration across the supply chain – from farmers to exporters,' Mrs Arada added. Key goals include strengthening domestic stability, expanding trade opportunities, and elevating Thai tapioca's global image to secure farmers' income and improve their quality of life. According to the DFT, Thailand exported 6.47 million tonnes of tapioca in 2024, generating revenue of 110.26 billion baht. For the first months of 2025, exports reached million tonnes, a increase from the same period last year, although declining global prices caused export value to fall by to billion baht. 'The department remains confident in achieving the 2025 export target of 7.5 million tonnes by penetrating high-potential markets and industries,' Mrs Arada added. Set under the theme 'Thailand Tapioca Next: GO Global Go Together,' the upcoming WTC 2025 aims to transform the industry through innovation, sustainability, and stronger international partnerships. The event expects over 1,000 participants worldwide, including importers from China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and other key markets, alongside Thai exporters, farmers, researchers, and government agencies. Mrs Arada explained that 'The conference will shift Thailand's tapioca industry from raw material exports to value creation, reinforcing the country's position as a global hub for tapioca production, processing, trade, and technology. It also seeks to strengthen trade relations with key partners while supporting farmers and producers to adapt to emerging market demands and technological trends.' Highlights of WTC 2025, seventh edition of the conference, include: July 29, 2025 at Millennium Hilton Bangkok will feature TED Talk–style panel discussions on Esteemed speakers from both domestic and international sectors will share insights with Thai operators, traders, and government representatives. July 30, 2025 at True Icon Hall, ICONSIAM will include: Keynote speeches on global trade trends and strategies to maintain competitiveness. Signing ceremonies for between Thai exporters and international importers to generate forward revenue. Business matching sessions targeting future trade deals. across three focus areas: tapioca chips/pellets, tapioca starch, and innovative tapioca products. Exhibitions showcasing Thailand's holistic tapioca industry, covering upstream cultivation, midstream processed products, and downstream research-based innovations with commercial potential. Notably, the conference will unveil 11 highlighted research projects that demonstrate tapioca's potential in sectors such as food, sweeteners, adhesives, paper, and chemicals, underlining the event's focus on creating sustainable, value-added products. 'WTC 2025 is not merely a conference but a demonstration of Thailand's readiness to lead the global tapioca industry into the future. It aligns with the principle of 'Leave No One Behind,' fostering inclusive development by involving farmers, producers, exporters, researchers, and policymakers,' Mrs Arada stated. 'This event will significantly benefit Thailand's tapioca trade by strengthening relationships with global stakeholders, expanding market opportunities, and ensuring the sustainable development of the industry,' she noted. The World Tapioca Conference 2025 will take place on July 29–30 in Bangkok. All sectors are invited to join this milestone event to reaffirm Thailand's leadership in tapioca production, processing, trade, and technology.
Bangkok Post
17-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
US tariffs yet to hit cassava exports
Producers say the new US tariff is not hindering cassava exports while the Ministry of Commerce is actively exploring new export markets including the Middle East, New Zealand and South Korea. Umnad Sukprasongphol, president of the Thai Tapioca Trade Association, said the US tariff has yet to impact cassava exports and he expected the export target will be reached this year. He said Thailand exports about 100,000 tonnes of cassava products valued around US$60 million annually to the US, all with a 0% tariff. Most of the cassava exports to the US are modified starch, native starch and sweetener. US importers have ramped up their imports over the past two months and Vietnam is Thailand's major competitor. "Vietnam will have a competitive advantage if the US imposes a higher tariff on Thai cassava products. The private sector is actively searching for new markets such as Japan, the European Union, the Middle East, Malaysia and New Zealand," he said. Mr Umnad added Thailand needs to raise productivity from roughly 2 tonnes per rai to 5-6 tonnes per rai to reduce production costs and mitigate long-term risks. Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), said Thailand is expected to retain its position as the world's largest cassava exporter with the export value anticipated to reach the target of 7.5 million tonnes this year. In the first five months of this year, exports increased by 37.1% year-on-year, reaching 4.06 million tonnes. Despite a significant growth in volume, the value of exports decreased by 12.5% year-on-year to 45.3 billion baht, primarily due to falling prices in the global market since the start of this year, she said. With the key current export markets for cassava being China, South Korea and Japan, the department is exploring opportunities in new markets, including the Middle East. It has seen stronger demand for cassava as an animal feed ingredient in Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. Mrs Arada said the cassava mosaic disease outbreak has affected the domestic supply, causing the average price of fresh cassava to rise to about 2 baht per kilogramme. The Ministry of Commerce will host the World Tapioca Conference 2025 during July 29-30 in Bangkok and is expecting over 1,000 people to participate, generating orders worth at least 300 million baht.
