Thailand's February Exports Surge 14%, Exceeding Forecasts
Trade surplus widens amid strong U.S. and China demand as Bangkok monitors tariff risks
Thailand's exports rose by 14% year-on-year in February 2025, marking the eighth consecutive monthly increase and surpassing the forecasted 9.7% rise.
This followed a 13.6% increase in January, according to the Commerce Ministry.
The strong performance was attributed to sustained global demand and ongoing trade and investment activity.Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan stated that export growth could reach 10% for the first quarter, supported by ongoing free trade negotiations.
In 2024, Thailand’s exports increased by 5.4% to a record 301 billion U.S. dollars.
The ministry currently projects 2025 export growth of between 2% and 3%, although officials indicated actual growth may exceed this range.In February, exports to the United States, Thailand’s largest export market, rose 18.3% from a year earlier, while shipments to China increased by 22.4%.
However, rice exports declined 33.1% year-on-year.
The ministry forecasts total rice exports of 7.5 million tonnes in 2025, down from 9.95 million tonnes in 2024, due to India's re-entry into the global rice market.Imports rose 4% in February, below the expected 4.8% increase, resulting in a trade surplus of 2 billion U.S. dollars for the month, which exceeded the projected surplus of 0.7 billion dollars.Officials confirmed that U.S. trade policy had not impacted Thai exports in the first two months of 2025, which saw a 13.8% year-on-year increase.
However, Thailand continues to monitor global trade developments closely.
In response to a 35.4 billion dollar bilateral trade surplus with the United States in 2024, the Thai government is seeking to increase imports from the U.S. and engage in trade discussions to prevent the imposition of potential tariffs.The Commerce Ministry reported that discussions with the private sector had taken place and that negotiation frameworks with U.S. counterparts are prepared, covering trade, investment, and security topics.
This followed a 13.6% increase in January, according to the Commerce Ministry.
The strong performance was attributed to sustained global demand and ongoing trade and investment activity.Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan stated that export growth could reach 10% for the first quarter, supported by ongoing free trade negotiations.
In 2024, Thailand’s exports increased by 5.4% to a record 301 billion U.S. dollars.
The ministry currently projects 2025 export growth of between 2% and 3%, although officials indicated actual growth may exceed this range.In February, exports to the United States, Thailand’s largest export market, rose 18.3% from a year earlier, while shipments to China increased by 22.4%.
However, rice exports declined 33.1% year-on-year.
The ministry forecasts total rice exports of 7.5 million tonnes in 2025, down from 9.95 million tonnes in 2024, due to India's re-entry into the global rice market.Imports rose 4% in February, below the expected 4.8% increase, resulting in a trade surplus of 2 billion U.S. dollars for the month, which exceeded the projected surplus of 0.7 billion dollars.Officials confirmed that U.S. trade policy had not impacted Thai exports in the first two months of 2025, which saw a 13.8% year-on-year increase.
However, Thailand continues to monitor global trade developments closely.
In response to a 35.4 billion dollar bilateral trade surplus with the United States in 2024, the Thai government is seeking to increase imports from the U.S. and engage in trade discussions to prevent the imposition of potential tariffs.The Commerce Ministry reported that discussions with the private sector had taken place and that negotiation frameworks with U.S. counterparts are prepared, covering trade, investment, and security topics.
