Thailand’s export sector continued its strong performance in April 2025, posting a 10.2% year-on-year increase and marking the tenth consecutive month of growth.
Key takeaways
- Thai exports grew 10.2% in April, marking ten consecutive months of expansion.
- The U.S. market led growth with a 23.8% surge, contributing to a 14% rise in exports year-to-date.
- Government trade efforts and upcoming FTAs are expected to sustain long-term export-driven growth.
The monthly export value reached $25.625 billion, underscoring the resilience of the Thai economy amid global trade uncertainties and concerns over potential U.S. tariff impacts.
Stripping out oil, gold, and military-related exports, growth remained solid at 7.1%, supported by sustained demand for industrial and agro-industrial products.
Key growth categories included computer equipment, electrical circuits, rubber products, gems, and switchboards.
The United States remained a key market, with Thai exports to the U.S. jumping 23.8%,the nineteenth straight month of expansion.
Other regions also contributed to the strong showing: ASEAN markets grew by 7.8%, South Asia by 8.7%, the European Union by 6.1%, Japan by 5.5%, and China by 3.2%.
Over the first four months of 2025, exports surged 14.0% compared to the same period last year, or 12.1% when excluding oil, gold, and military supplies.
Since Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took office seven months ago, export growth has averaged 12.5%, a pace not seen in decades.
The Ministry of Commerce attributes the sustained export momentum to proactive trade policies and strategic engagement with key partners.
Looking ahead, the government is working to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union by year-end.
Talks with the United States are also progressing, with expectations of concluding a trade deal within the next 90 days.
Despite external challenges, the Ministry remains confident that exports will continue to be a cornerstone of Thailand’s economic growth.
Even in a no-growth scenario for the remainder of the year, average export growth is projected to exceed 4%, surpassing earlier forecasts.
Officials maintain that the country’s current export strategies are well-positioned to support long-term, sustainable economic expansion in the face of global volatility.
