Thai Fruits Target Middle East Market at Gulfood 2026

Thansettakij•Economy•252d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture is promoting high-quality Thai fruits at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai to expand exports to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

•Thai Ministry of Agriculture attended Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, UAE, from January 26-30, 2025.
•The event showcased high-quality Thai agricultural products, particularly fruits, to international buyers.
•The initiative aims to increase Thai fruit exports and tap into lucrative markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
•Thai fruits were highlighted for their premium quality, unique taste, and distinctiveness compared to competitors.

Overview

•On Jan 30, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, led by Permanent Secretary Winai Rote Sap Song Suk and Director of Market Organization for Farmers (Or Tor Kor) Panitan Mee Chai Yo, attended the Gulfood 2026 event in Dubai, UAE.
•High-quality Thai agricultural products, including mangoes, durian, dragon fruit, pineapple, mangosteen, rambutan, coconut, longan, tamarind, and various dried fruits, were exhibited at Gulfood 2026 in order to attract international buyers.
•Permanent Secretary Winai Rote Sap Song Suk stated that the Ministry of Agriculture has a policy to promote sustainable income for Thai farmers by elevating agricultural products to meet international standards and market demands.
•The participation in Gulfood 2026 is aimed at expanding opportunities and opening new trade channels to increase export value and reach markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe due to their high purchasing power and continuous demand for tropical fruits.
•The UAE is a major export market for Thai fruits, with high demand for premium tropical fruits, especially among middle to high-income consumers, despite higher prices than some competing countries.
•Thai fruits are trusted by consumers more than those from Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia due to superior quality and taste, potentially leading to increased export revenue.
•The Ministry of Agriculture is pushing for the export of Thai fruits under the BCG Economy Model (Bio-Circular-Green Economy) in order to enhance competitiveness on the global stage and promote sustainable agricultural resource management.
•Director Panitan Mee Chai Yo indicated that participation in Gulfood 2026 creates opportunities for Thai fruits and processed fruits to enter premium retail and large hotel channels in the UAE, a country heavily reliant on fruit imports.

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Key Quotes

Winai Rote Sap Song Suk

"The Ministry of Agriculture has a policy to promote sustainable income for Thai farmers, focusing on elevating agricultural products and promoting quality production according to international standards matching market demand."

กระทรวงเกษตรฯ มีนโยบายส่งเสริมเกษตรกรไทยให้มีรายได้เพิ่มขึ้นอย่างยั่งยืน มุ่งยกระดับสินค้าเกษตรและส่งเสริมการผลิตสินค้าเกษตรคุณภาพตามมาตรฐานสากลสอดคล้องความต้องการของตลาด

Winai Rote Sap Song Suk

"Participating in Gulfood 2026 this time expands opportunities and opens new trade channels, allowing for increased export value and market expansion into the Middle East, Africa, and Europe."

การเข้าร่วมงาน Gulfood 2026 ในครั้งนี้ จึงเป็นการขยายโอกาสและเพิ่มช่องทางการค้าใหม่ๆ สามารถต่อยอดเพิ่มมูลค่าการส่งออกและขยายตลาดไปยังกลุ่มประเทศตะวันออกกลาง รวมทั้งแอฟริกาและยุโรป

Panitan Mee Chai Yo

"Participation in Gulfood 2026 this time creates opportunities for Thai fruits and processed fruits to enter premium retail channels and large hotels."

การเข้าร่วมงาน Gulfood 2026 ในครั้งนี้ นับเป็นการสร้างโอกาสให้ผลไม้ไทยและผลไม้แปรรูปเข้าสู่ช่องทางค้าปลีกระดับพรีเมียมและโรงแรมขนาดใหญ่

Key Entities

Organization

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)ℹ️

The government body responsible for promoting and developing Thailand's agricultural sector.

Market Organization for Farmers (Or Tor Kor)(องค์การตลาดเพื่อเกษตรกร (อ.ต.ก.))

An organization focused on marketing agricultural products for farmers, participating in Gulfood 2026.

Person

Winai Rote Sap Song Suk(นายวิณะโรจน์ ทรัพย์ส่งสุข)

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who led the delegation to Gulfood 2026.

Panitan Mee Chai Yo(นายปณิธาน มีไชยโย)

Director of the Market Organization for Farmers (Or Tor Kor), who spoke about opportunities at Gulfood 2026.

Place

Dubai(ดูไบ)ℹ️

The location in the United Arab Emirates where the Gulfood 2026 exhibition was held.

United Arab Emirates(สหรัฐอาหรับเอมิเรตส์)ℹ️

The country hosting the Gulfood 2026 exhibition, and a key target market for Thai fruit exports.

Policy

BCG Economy Model

A development model (Bio-Circular-Green Economy) being applied by the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Thai agricultural exports.