Thailand is positioning itself as a leading global supplier of high-protein plant-based ingredients, reflecting the rising global demand for plant-based foods driven by health, environmental, and animal welfare concerns. The Commerce Ministry, through the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), highlights Thailand’s potential to excel in this sector due to its rich agricultural resources and established food industry value chain, which includes cultivation, production, and processing.
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, TPSO’s director-general, notes that the future of Thailand’s plant-based food industry is evolving rapidly. The country’s well-recognized cuisine, combined with its reputation as a health and medical tourism destination, further strengthens its potential to become a global plant-based food hub. However, significant development is needed in areas such as production, processing, marketing, research, technology, and legal frameworks to enhance the agricultural trade and add value to Thai products.
The global plant-based food market, estimated to reach USD 25 billion in 2024, is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%, according to Euromonitor. Factors driving this growth include shifting consumer habits, government support for innovation, global population growth, climate change, and technological advancements in agriculture and food processing.
(Source: The Nation)
