Thailand becomes top world exporter of Tapioca

The Commerce Ministry has announced that Thailand was the world top exporter of tapioca in 2024 and sets a target to champion the global largest exporter of the crop again in 2025.

Speaking to reporters recently, Director General of the ministry’s Department of Foreign Trade Arada Fuangtong revealed that Thailand’s exports of tapioca totaled 4.06 million tons during the first five months of 2025, a 37.16% year-on-year growth.

She assessed that, throughout 2025, Thai exports of tapioca should reach 7.5 million tons, retaining the national position as the world top exporter of the economic crop for the second consecutive year.

Her department’s plan to provide Thai exporters with updated information on newly-explored and potential importing markets of tapioca is believed to help achieve the target, said Arada.

Apart from the massive Chinese market, other importers with high demands of Thai tapioca include Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and those in the Middle East.

The senior official also suggested that Thai exporters of tapioca expand their shipments to more prospective sectors, namely those relating to animal feed businesses.

Based on latest data, the domestic price of locally-grown tapioca has averagely doubled to 2 baht a kilogram due to the widening global demand although its price in the world market has declined by about 30% since early this year.

The 7th World Tapioca Conference 2025, to be organized by the Department of Foreign Trade at ICONSIAM, a high-end riverside shopping and business landmark in Bangkok, during July 29-30, 2025, is, meanwhile, expected to secure Thailand’s new purchase orders of at least 300 million baht from participating global importers.