In 2021, Thailand’s fruit juice exports rose 14.31% over the previous year and was valued at US$640.98 million (Bt 20.18 billion), according to the Commerce Ministry’ Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
TPSO Director Ronnarong Poonphiphat said, “Mintel research showed that in the past 10 years (2012-2021), Thailand has rolled out the second highest number of fruit juice products worldwide with 3,190 items, or 4.2% of total products in the global fruit juice market. We are currently slightly behind China which is first with 3,628 fruit juice products, or 4.78%, while Brazil is in 3rd place with 2,839 products, or 3.74%.”
Ronnarong said that the US is Thailand’s No. 1 export market for fruit juices in 2021, as the country imported US$266.3 million worth of Thai fruit juice, or 41.6% share of total fruit juice exports.
China and the Netherlands are the 2nd and 3rd largest export markets with US$48.18 million and US$36.22 million respectively.
Poonphiphat added, “The US market has high demand for organic fruit juices, especially among health-conscious consumers who prefer low sugar and low-calorie juices. This trend has also opened new opportunities for fruit juices with extra healthy ingredients, such as added vitamins and prebiotics, which have helped manufacturers expand their product lines to larger groups of consumers.”
He also commented that the pandemic is one of the factors that has helped to boost fruit juice exports, as people have become more health-conscious during the pandemic and tend to consume more fruits and vegetables to strengthen their bodies’ immunity against the virus. Sales via online channels have also increased as traditional markets closed due to lockdowns.
