China · Japan · India · Nation Thailand
Thai exports rise 17.6% but import surge drives deficit
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◌ Single Source
Thailand’s exports rose 17.6% year on year to US$196.74 billion in the first half of 2026, driven largely by technology and electronics, but a 38% surge in imports left the country with a US$31.74 billion trade deficit.
Key facts
- Total trade from January to June reached US$425.23 billion, an increase of 27.8% from the same period last year
- Exports in June alone were valued at US$34.66 billion, up 20.8% year on year
- First-quarter shipments reached US$96.17 billion, an increase of 17.4%, before rising to US$100.57 billion in the second quarter, up 17.7%.
- Computers, equipment and components were a major contributor to the first-half expansion, with exports valued at US$18.78 billion, up 47.9%
- Exports of fax machines, telephones, equipment and components surged 169% to US$3.55 billion.
- Shipments of fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit rose 16.3% to US$4.02 billion, while gems and jewellery exports increased 19.8% to US$14.17 billion.
Summary
Total trade from January to June reached US$425.23 billion, an increase of 27.8% from the same period last year. Imports were valued at US$228.49 billion, outpacing export growth during the period.
Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said on Sunday (August 9) that exports continued to perform strongly and remained above their year-earlier level, in line with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s recent comments on Thailand’s export outlook.