Pork market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

Thailand's pork market volume increased from 902 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 936 thousand tonnes in 2023, despite a temporary dip in 2020 when a surge in exports reduced domestic availability. Production steadily climbed over the period, supported by a gradual expansion in output.

In 2021, a sharp decline in exports of chilled and frozen pork, with volumes falling 24.35% year-on-year, redirected more supply to the local market. This export drop was driven by measures to reduce the breeding sow herd and outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which constrained external sales. Concurrently, lower feed costs for ingredients like rice bran and soybean meal helped bolster production margins.

The latter part of the period saw continued pressure from disease-related trade restrictions, while lower animal feed costs remained a persistent factor influencing production economics.

Production pork in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Thailand ranked 20th globally in pork production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Thailand's pork production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 933.3 thousand tons of pork, marking a 0.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 904.6 thousand tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 2.5%, while 2019 experienced the highest growth at 2.3%.

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

Exports pork from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018 was elevenfold. In 2020, Thailand exported 26 338 tons of pork, representing a sharp increase of 462.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 388 tons, with the largest decline that year at 0.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the dominant destination for Thailand's pork exports by volume, accounting for 79.4% of total shipments. Other countries each held substantially smaller shares.

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, M $ US

Thailand's pork export value rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 105.4 million US dollars, showing a substantial gain of 411.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 2 330.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 189.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong was the leading market for Thailand's pork exports by value, making up 80.5% of total flows. Other markets contributed much smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor partners.

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

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

Imports pork to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The highest import volume occurred in 2020, while the lowest was in 2019, creating a gap of 37 007 times between them. In 2020, Thailand imported 740 tons of pork, equivalent to an increase of 3 700 590.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 tons, with the largest decline that year at 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (54.8% of import volume), Paraguay (14.6%), and the Netherlands (10.8%) were the main sources for Thailand's pork imports by volume. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.2% of total imports.

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, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import value peaked in 2020 and hit its lowest point in 2017, with a difference of 14 899 times between them. In 2020, pork imports to Thailand amounted to 1.7 million US dollars, up by 261 813.2% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 94.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Brazil (63.4% of import value), Germany (11.2%), and the Netherlands (9.8%) were the primary sources for Thailand's pork imports by value. Combined, these three markets represented 84.3% of total import flows.

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

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