BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement (FTA) partners reached US$243.67 billion in the first half of 2026, up 21.8% from the same period last year, accounting for 57.3% of the country’s total global trade. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations under the Ministry of Commerce, said trade with Thailand’s FTA partners — ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Peru and Chile — continued to expand strongly from January to June. Thai exports to FTA partners totalled US$105.49 billion, an increase of 12.6%, while imports rose 30% to US$138.18 billion.
China remained Thailand’s largest FTA trading partner, with two-way trade reaching US$91.51 billion, accounting for 37.6% of Thailand’s total trade with FTA partners. Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and India followed, with the markets playing important roles in Thailand’s export sector and interconnected regional supply chains. Thailand recorded strong export growth across several FTA markets. Exports to Singapore jumped 74%, followed by Australia at 43.9%, Laos at 36.4%, Malaysia at 27%, Vietnam at 20.2%, Japan at 12.9% and India at 10%.
Agricultural exports also performed well. Fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit exports increased 16.8%, while processed chicken rose 7.6%. Industrial exports recorded gains in jewellery and gemstones, up 26%; electrical circuit boards, up 20.6%; computers, equipment and components, up 18.5%; rubber products, up 10.4%; and automobiles, parts and components, up 3.8%. Although imports from FTA partners grew faster than exports, the Commerce Ministry said most imported goods were linked to investment and production.
More than 75% of imports from FTA partners consisted of raw materials, intermediate goods and capital goods, including electrical machinery and components, integrated circuits, machinery, chemicals, iron, steel and steel products. These imports, the department said, are important inputs for improving production efficiency, creating added value for Thai products and strengthening the competitiveness of Thai manufacturers in global markets. “Despite challenges facing the global economy from geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and supply-chain uncertainty, FTAs remain an important mechanism for creating trade opportunities and maintaining Thailand’s competitiveness,” Chotima said.
She said FTAs were helping Thailand expand export markets, connect with international production networks and secure essential raw materials for industry. The department expects trade with FTA partners to remain an important driver of Thailand’s trade and manufacturing sectors through the second half of the year. Chotima said the department would focus on expanding and upgrading Thailand’s network of trade agreements to create new market opportunities and strengthen the country’s competitiveness amid rapid changes in global trade.
Key priorities include pushing forward negotiations for the Thailand-EU, Thailand-South Korea and ASEAN-Canada FTAs, while upgrading existing agreements such as the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. The department will also work to move the Thailand-Peru FTA toward a final agreement and signing. Officials will continue monitoring global trade developments and trade measures imposed by trading partners, while coordinating with ASEAN members to strengthen supply-chain resilience. The goal, Chotima said, is to keep ASEAN an open and connected region and a major global base for trade, investment and production.
