Thailand seeks Chinese technology and e-commerce access to expand agricultural exports

Technology and online channels for Thai agriculture

Thailand is seeking Chinese technology, investment and e-commerce support to move more Thai agricultural products into higher-value segments of the Chinese market. The initiative was discussed at the fourth Thailand-China Sub-Committee on Trade and Investment meeting, held at Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce on July 9, 2026, according to Post Today.

Thai Assistant Commerce Minister Piyanuch Wuttisorn met Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong to follow up on proposals discussed by the countries’ deputy prime ministers during the APEC trade ministers’ meeting in May. A central proposal is a Thai pilot project combining Chinese technology and innovation with local agricultural production to develop premium goods.

Thai officials have begun consultations with businesses producing health food and food for older consumers. China has about 320 million people aged over 60, giving the project a large potential customer base. China agreed that the proposed products could meet domestic demand, while Thailand asked for support in bringing its small and medium-sized enterprises onto Chinese online platforms.

China has previously helped Thai SMEs participate in trade exhibitions, including the China-ASEAN Expo, without charging for exhibition space. The two sides said support measures should now identify promising SME groups more clearly. Thailand also requested additional e-commerce training for its private sector.

Rice, poultry and fruit access on the agenda

The talks covered several immediate agricultural trade issues. Thailand asked the Chinese side to accelerate the next purchase of 60,000 tonnes of Thai rice and to consider supplying the types of chemical fertilizer needed by Thai buyers. Bangkok also sought faster Chinese reviews of Thai poultry meat and sugar syrup exports.

Fruit market access was another priority. Thailand requested quicker procedures to open the Chinese market to salak and dates. China indicated that it was ready to support Thailand’s requests and continue importing Thai fruit, particularly durian, mangosteen and coconut. For exporters, the outcome will depend on how quickly product approvals and market-opening procedures translate into commercial shipments.

The governments agreed to establish a working group to turn the proposals into concrete measures. They also aim to convene the seventh Thailand-China Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation at deputy-prime-minister level. China offered to host the meeting in early 2027.

Bilateral trade grows by more than a fifth

China has been Thailand’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. Bilateral trade reached $147.34 billion in 2025, rising 21.13% from 2024. During the first five months of 2026, trade totaled $74.14 billion, an increase of 28.38% from the same period of 2025.

Thailand’s major exports to China include fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit, computers and components, rubber products, plastic resin and natural rubber. Its principal imports include electrical and mechanical machinery and components, household appliances, chemicals, computers and parts. Thailand also invited Chinese investors into electric vehicles, research and development, design and upstream manufacturing, while asking them to use Thai components and labor across the supply chain.

The wider talks addressed faster registration of geographical indications, early implementation of the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area protocol, expansion of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership membership and cross-border trade under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation framework. These discussions extend the agricultural initiative beyond individual product approvals toward rules and channels that could shape longer-term trade flows.