Optimistic forecast for Thai agricultural growth in 2025 despite difficulties

Thailand's agricultural sector is expected to record growth of 1.8% to 2.8% next year, driven by factors such as safe water, improving overall economic conditions and higher demand for agricultural products in the global market, according to a forecast by the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE).

Thailand's agricultural growth forecast in 2025. Illustrative photo. (Source: haiquanonline)

This optimistic forecast contrasts with the situation this year, when drought in the first months of the year and major floods in the third quarter reduced growth by 1.1 percentage points, along with higher production costs and geopolitical conflicts in some parts of the world, said Mr. Chantanon Wannakejohn, Secretary General of the OAE.

OAE data shows that in 2024, Thailand will suffer a 1.7% decline in the crop sector, 2.8% in the fishery sector and 0.5% in the agricultural services sector, but livestock will increase by 3.2% and forestry by 2.2% compared to the previous year.

Across Thailand, all regions saw overall growth weaken, except for the Northeast, which recorded 1.7% growth.

A decrease of 1% was reported in the North, 1.2% in the Central, 2.3% in the South, 3.6% in the East and 4.8% in the Far South.

Mr. Chantanon expressed hope that the situation will improve next year thanks to the government's economic policy and higher demand in the global market, with growth likely to reach between 1.8% and 2.8%, in which the crop sector will play an important role in making the economy healthier.

Sustainable agricultural development is considered one of the main economic drivers of Thailand. In recent years, Vietnam and Thailand have cooperated closely in the fields of agriculture and rural development and initially recorded many important results since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Thailand is currently a major investor in the agricultural sector in Vietnam and Vietnam's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with two-way trade turnover in 2023 reaching over 20 billion USD, of which agricultural products account for about 10%.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/du-bao-lac-quan-ve-tang-truong-nong-nghiep-thai-lan-nam-2025-bat-chap-kho-khan-298272.html