Edible brassicas market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for fresh edible brassicas in Thailand reached 431.5 thousand tons. This period saw the introduction of modern agricultural practices, including the establishment of large-scale vegetable farms in Nong Bua Lamphu province with state budget support for purchasing equipment, which enhanced the quality of organic cabbage and broccoli production. The market volume then contracted sharply to 279.4 thousand tons in 2019, primarily due to a dramatic fall in imports, before rebounding to 449.2 thousand tons in 2020 as import flows resumed.

Market volume stabilized over the following years, reaching 479.9 thousand tons in 2023. This growth coincided with rising export opportunities, particularly to Taiwan, where Thai fresh cabbage and broccoli accounted for over 35% of vegetable imports, reflecting strong international demand. During this period, Taiwanese plant quarantine restrictions on certain fresh vegetable imports required adjustments from Thai exporters.

By 2024, extreme heat conditions slowed vegetable growth, caused leaf scorch, and led to transport damage, pushing prices for items like cabbage up by nearly 40%. In response, the Ministry of Commerce and the Department of Internal Trade implemented measures to link fresh vegetables from producers to central markets and shortage areas, including distributing affordable produce through the Mobile Thongfa project in Bangkok and 10 target provinces.

Production edible brassicas in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Thailand's edible brassicas production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production remained virtually unchanged from 2019, with 285.2 thousand tonnes. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 293.1 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Thailand's edible brassicas production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 128.5 million US dollars, showing a limited decrease of 9.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 41.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports edible brassicas from Thailand

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volume varied significantly, with a 5.5-fold difference between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2020. In 2020, Thailand's edible brassicas export volume totalled 1.6 thousand tonnes, representing a decrease of 76.1% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 104.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, dominated exports in kind, accounting for 72.5% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Thailand in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export value showed a 9.4-fold variation between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2020. In 2020, edible brassicas exports from Thailand totalled 708 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp reduction of 78.2% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 51.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Thailand in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main cluster of markets for exports in value terms consisted of Asia, not elsewhere specified (33.6% of exports), India (21.0%), and the United Arab Emirates (19.9%). Together, these three destinations accounted for 74.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Thailand in value, 2017-2020

Imports edible brassicas to Thailand

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import volume reached its lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 623-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Thailand's imports of edible brassicas registered 165.5 thousand tonnes, marking a steep increase of 62,249.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 99.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, with a share of 83.2% of total flows. Other markets had comparatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Thailand in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import value fluctuated 264 times between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. In 2020, edible brassicas imports into Thailand came to 63,922 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 26,321.6% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 242 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 99.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Thailand in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China took the dominant position in imports in value terms, accounting for 79.8% of total flows. The remaining share was split among various smaller destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Thailand in value, 2017-2020