16/09/2025
Thailand's World-Class Food Industry Powers Global Markets
Thailand's culinary heritage, rooted in centuries of tradition and innovation, has evolved into a world-class food industry that exemplifies the nation's unique identity—Thainess.
As the Kingdom positions itself as a global food powerhouse, the THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2025, APAC's largest food and beverage trade exhibition, serves as a testament to Thailand's remarkable journey from traditional cuisine to cutting-edge food manufacturing excellence.
A Culinary Legacy Transformed into Global Excellence
The essence of Thainess in food extends far beyond the aromatic curries and vibrant street food that have captivated international palates. It embodies a philosophy of balance, harmony, and meticulous attention to quality that permeates every aspect of Thailand's modern food industry.
This cultural foundation has become the cornerstone of Thailand's transformation into one of the world's leading food exporters, supported by the Department of International Trade Promotion's (DITP) comprehensive approach to maintaining authenticity whilst pursuing global expansion.
Thai SELECT: Guaranteeing Authentic Thainess Worldwide
Central to Thailand's global food strategy is the Thai SELECT brand, launched by DITP in 2001 as a quality assurance programme that has become synonymous with authentic Thai culinary experiences worldwide. This certification system addresses a critical challenge: ensuring that the essence of Thainess remains intact as Thai cuisine spreads across the globe.
The Thai SELECT programme operates through a sophisticated four-tier restaurant certification system. Thai SELECT 3 Stars represents the pinnacle of excellence, awarded to restaurants offering exceptional quality with outstanding expertise in traditional Thai culinary techniques. The 2 Star certification recognises high-quality establishments providing sophisticated dining experiences, whilst 1 Star certification denotes good-quality restaurants delivering pleasant, authentic Thai experiences. The Casual Thai SELECT category accommodates diverse dining formats, from food trucks to informal eateries, ensuring accessibility whilst maintaining authenticity standards.
Currently, 862 restaurants across 40 countries proudly display the Thai SELECT certification, with 7 achieving the coveted 3-star status, 140 earning 2 stars, 570 holding 1 star, and 145 operating under the casual category. This global network of certified establishments serves as cultural ambassadors, ensuring that international diners experience genuine Thai cuisine.
Beyond restaurants, the Thai SELECT programme expanded in 2012 to certify food products, responding to growing global demand for authentic Thai ingredients and ready-to-consume items. Today, 965 Thai food products from 109 companies carry the Thai SELECT certification, encompassing curry pastes, seasonings, snacks, beverages, and desserts. This expansion enables consumers worldwide to recreate authentic Thai dishes at home whilst supporting Thai manufacturers in accessing international markets.
The programme's impact extends beyond quality assurance—it serves as a powerful tool for economic diplomacy and cultural promotion. The Ministry of Commerce is actively rebranding Thai SELECT to enhance its international recognition, incorporating the elegant "Orchid Star" symbol to represent the delicacy and refinement of Thai cuisine at its highest certification level.
THAIFEX -- Anuga Asia: Showcasing Thailand's Food Industry Prowess
The THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2025, held from 27-31 May at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, has conclusively demonstrated Asia's most comprehensive global food trade show and Thailand's industry leadership. Organised by the DITP in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and Koelnmesse Germany, this flagship event delivered remarkable results that exceeded expectations.
This year's exhibition achieved unprecedented scale, attracting 3,231 exhibiting companies occupying 6,208 booths from 57 countries worldwide. The participation breakdown included 1,184 Thai enterprises and 2,047 international companies, showcasing truly global representation. Total attendance reached 142,370 visitors, comprising 88,349 trade visitors (20,566 international and 67,783 Thai participants) and over 54,021 general public visitors during retail days.
The exhibition's scope featured nine specialised trade shows covering Drinks, Fine Food, Food Technology, Frozen Food, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat, Rice, Seafood, and Sweets & Bakery products. The most popular product zones attracting significant buyer interest included Fine Food, Food Technology, Drinks, Frozen Food, and Fruits & Vegetables.
The economic impact surpassed all projections, generating an extraordinary total trade value of 135.68 billion baht. This comprised 135.45 billion baht in business day transactions, including 271.81 million baht in immediate orders and 135.18 billion baht in projected orders within one year, plus 227.82 million baht from retail day sales.
Notably, Thai exhibitors alone generated 99.1 billion baht in trade value, demonstrating the strength of domestic food industry capabilities. The top five countries by purchasing volume were China, Thailand, India, Vietnam, and Japan, reflecting strong regional demand and Thailand's strategic position in Asian markets.
Thailand's Food Export Dominance
Thailand's food industry achievements are reflected in impressive export statistics that demonstrate the sector's robust performance and global competitiveness. Recent data indicates that Thai food exports in the first nine months of 2024 reached 1.16 trillion baht, marking a notable 4.6% increase despite global economic challenges. This growth trajectory highlights the resilience and adaptability of Thailand's food industry in navigating complex international market conditions.
The diversity of Thailand's food exports showcases the industry's comprehensive capabilities. In 2023, fresh fruit for consumption led the export categories with approximately 239.8 billion Thai baht, demonstrating Thailand's strength in agricultural produce. However, the country's expertise extends well beyond fresh produce to encompass processed foods, frozen products, and innovative food technologies that meet evolving global consumer demands.
The success of Thai SELECT-certified products has contributed significantly to this export performance, providing international buyers with confidence in product authenticity and quality. This certification system has become particularly valuable in premium markets where consumers actively seek authentic culinary experiences.
Innovation and Technology: The New Frontier
Thailand's commitment to food innovation extends beyond traditional manufacturing to embrace cutting-edge food technology and sustainable production methods. The country has invested significantly in research and development, establishing itself as a regional hub for food science and technology advancement.
The integration of modern food processing techniques with traditional Thai culinary wisdom has created unique competitive advantages. Thai manufacturers have successfully scaled artisanal production methods whilst maintaining the authentic flavours and nutritional profiles that define Thainess. This delicate balance between tradition and innovation has enabled Thai food products to meet stringent international standards whilst preserving their distinctive cultural identity—a principle embodied in the Thai SELECT certification standards.
Food safety standards represent another area where Thailand has demonstrated world-class capabilities. The industry's adherence to international certification requirements, including HACCP, GMP, and various organic certifications, has established Thailand as a trusted source for high-quality food products. These standards have become particularly crucial in the post-pandemic environment, where consumers and importers place premium value on safety and traceability.
Manufacturing Excellence and Global Standards
Thailand's food manufacturing sector has evolved into a sophisticated ecosystem capable of producing world-class products across multiple categories. The country's strategic geographic location, combined with abundant natural resources and skilled workforce, has attracted significant foreign investment whilst fostering the growth of domestic manufacturers.
The manufacturing capabilities span from large-scale industrial production to specialised artisanal processes, enabling Thailand to serve diverse market segments effectively. Whether producing commodity items for global food service chains or premium products for discerning international consumers, Thai manufacturers have demonstrated remarkable adaptability and quality consistency. Many of these manufacturers proudly hold Thai SELECT certification for their products, further validating their commitment to authenticity and excellence.
The integration of sustainable practices has become increasingly important, with many Thai food manufacturers adopting environmentally responsible production methods. This commitment to sustainability aligns with global consumer trends and regulatory requirements, further enhancing Thailand's competitiveness in international markets.
Cultural Diplomacy Through Culinary Excellence
The Thai SELECT programme exemplifies Thailand's innovative approach to cultural diplomacy, using food as a vehicle to promote the nation's soft power globally. With 18,852 Thai restaurants operating worldwide, the certified establishments under Thai SELECT serve as quality benchmarks that elevate the entire industry's reputation.
This cultural diplomacy extends beyond mere commerce—it represents Thailand's commitment to sharing its rich heritage whilst building meaningful connections with international communities. The programme's success demonstrates how authenticity and quality can coexist with global expansion, creating sustainable competitive advantages for Thai businesses.
Looking Forward: Thailand's Food Industry Vision
As Thailand continues to strengthen its position as a global food industry leader, the focus on Thainess remains central to its strategic vision. The upcoming THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2025 will serve as a crucial platform for showcasing these achievements whilst fostering new partnerships and exploring emerging market opportunities.
The continued evolution of the Thai SELECT programme, including its ongoing rebranding initiative to enhance global recognition, represents Thailand's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of culinary authenticity whilst embracing innovation. The integration of the elegant Orchid Star symbol will further distinguish Thai cuisine's premium positioning in international markets.
The DITP's continued commitment to supporting Thai food exporters through comprehensive programmes, market intelligence, and international networking ensures that Thailand's food industry will continue to thrive. With projections indicating sustained growth and increasing international recognition, Thailand's food sector stands poised to write the next chapter in its remarkable success story.
The essence of Thainess—characterised by harmony, quality, and cultural authenticity—will undoubtedly continue to guide Thailand's food industry towards even greater international acclaim. Through initiatives like Thai SELECT and flagship events like THAIFEX, Thailand ensures that the world can continue to savour not just Thai food, but the rich cultural heritage it represents, certified and authenticated to the highest global standards.
泰国世界级食品产业驱动全球市场
泰国植根于数百年传统与创新的烹饪遗产，已发展成为世界级的食品产业，体现了该国独特的身份—泰国特色（Thainess）。
随着泰国将自身定位为全球食品强国，2025年泰国亚洲世界食品博览会（THAIFEX - Anuga Asia）—是亚太地区最大的食品和饮料贸易展览会—证明了泰国从传统美食到尖端食品制造卓越成就的非凡历程。
烹饪传承转化为全球卓越
食品中的泰国特色精髓远不止那些俘获国际味蕾的芳香咖喱和充满活力的街头小吃。它体现了一种平衡、和谐以及对品质一丝不苟的理念，这种理念渗透于泰国现代食品产业的方方面面。
这一文化基础已成为泰国转型为世界领先食品出口国之一的基石，并得到了泰国国际贸易促进厅（DITP）在追求全球扩张的同时保持真实性的综合方法的支持。
Thai SELECT （泰之选）：全球范围内保证正宗泰国特色
泰国全球食品战略的核心是Thai SELECT品牌，由DITP于2001年推出，作为一个质量保证计划，它已成为全球正宗泰国烹饪体验的代名词。该认证体系解决了一个关键挑战：确保在泰国菜走向全球的过程中，泰国特色的精髓得以保持完整。
Thai SELECT 计划通过复杂的四级餐厅认证体系运作。Thai SELECT 3星代表卓越的巅峰，授予那些提供卓越品质并在传统泰国烹饪技术方面拥有杰出专业知识的餐厅。2星认证认可提供精致用餐体验的高品质餐厅，而1星认证则表示提供愉悦、正宗泰国体验的良好品质餐厅。休闲泰精选 (Casual Thai SELECT) 类别则涵盖了从餐车到非正式餐馆等多种餐饮形式，在确保可及性的同时维持真实性标准。
目前，全球40个国家的862家餐厅自豪地展示着Thai SELECT认证，其中7家获得了令人垂涎的3星 status，140家获得2星，570家持有1星，145家以休闲类别运营。这个经过认证的全球餐厅网络充当着文化大使的角色，确保国际食客体验到地道的泰国美食。
除了餐厅，Thai SELECT计划于2012年扩展至食品认证，以回应全球对正宗泰式食材和即食产品日益增长的需求。如今，来自109家公司的965种泰国食品产品获得了Thai SELECT认证，涵盖咖喱酱、调味品、零食、饮料和甜点。这一扩展使全球消费者能够在家中重现正宗的泰国菜肴，同时支持泰国制造商进入国际市场。
该计划的影响远不止于质量保证—它还是经济外交和文化推广的强大工具。泰国商业部正在积极对Thai SELECT进行品牌重塑，以提升其国际认可度，并采用优雅的 “兰花之星（Orchid Star）”符号来代表其最高认证级别所体现的泰国美食的精緻与优雅。
泰国亚洲世界食品博览会：展示泰国食品产业实力
于5月27日至31日在IMPACT Muang Thong Thani举行的2025年泰国亚洲世界食品博览会（THAIFEX - Anuga Asia）最终证明了其作为亚洲最全面的全球食品贸易展以及泰国行业领导者的地位。此次旗舰活动由DITP与泰国商会（Thai Chamber of Commerce）和德国科隆国际展览有限公司（Koelnmesse Germany）合作组织，取得了超出预期的显著成果。
今年的展会规模空前，吸引了来自全球57个国家的3,231家参展公司，占据了6,208个展位。参与情况包括1,184家泰国企业和2,047家国际公司，展示了真正的全球代表性。总参观人数达到142,370人，包括88,349名贸易观众（其中国际参与者20,566人，泰国参与者67,783人）以及零售日期间超过54,021名普通公众参观者。
展会的范围包括九个专业贸易展，涵盖饮料、精细食品、食品技术、冷冻食品、水果与蔬菜、肉类、大米、海鲜以及甜食和烘焙产品。吸引大量买家兴趣的最受欢迎产品区包括精细食品、食品技术、饮料、冷冻食品以及水果与蔬菜。
经济影响超出了所有预期，产生了惊人的1356.8亿泰铢的总贸易额。这包括业务日达成的1354.5亿泰铢交易（其中即期订单2.7181亿泰铢，一年内预期订单1351.8亿泰铢），以及零售日销售额2.2782亿泰铢。
值得注意的是，仅泰国参展商就产生了991亿泰铢的贸易额，展示了国内食品产业能力的实力。按采购量计算的前五名国家是中国、泰国、印度、越南和日本，反映了强劲的区域需求以及泰国在亚洲市场的战略地位。
泰国食品出口的主导地位
泰国食品产业的成就体现在令人印象深刻的出口统计数据上，显示了该行业的强劲表现和全球竞争力。近期数据表明，2024年前九个月泰国食品出口额达到1.16万亿泰铢，尽管面临全球经济挑战，仍显著增长了4.6%。这一增长轨迹突显了泰国食品产业在应对复杂的国际市场条件时的韧性和适应性。
泰国食品出口的多样性展示了该行业的综合能力。2023年，鲜食水果以约2398亿泰铢领先出口品类，展示了泰国在农产品方面的优势。然而，该国的专业知识远不止于新鲜产品，还涵盖了满足全球消费者不断变化需求的加工食品、冷冻产品和创新食品技术。
获得Thai SELECT认证的产品的成功为这一出口表现做出了重大贡献，为国际买家提供了对产品真实性和质量的信心。该认证体系在消费者积极寻求正宗烹饪体验的高端市场中变得尤为宝贵。
创新与技术：新前沿
泰国对食品创新的承诺超越了传统制造，涵盖了尖端食品技术和可持续生产方法。该国大力投入研发，确立了自身作为食品科学技术进步的区域中心地位。
现代食品加工技术与传统泰国烹饪智慧的结合创造了独特的竞争优势。泰国制造商在成功扩大手工生产规模的同时，保持了定义泰国特色的正宗风味和营养特性。传统与创新之间的这种微妙平衡使泰国食品能够满足严格的国际标准，同时保留其独特的文化身份——这是Thai SELECT认证标准所体现的原则。
食品安全标准是泰国展示世界级能力的另一个领域。该行业遵守国际认证要求，包括危害分析与关键控制点（HACCP）、良好生产规范（GMP）和各种有机认证，使泰国成为高质量食品的可信赖来源。这些标准在后疫情环境中变得尤为关键，因为消费者和进口商高度重视安全性和可追溯性。
卓越制造与全球标准
泰国食品制造业已发展成为一个复杂的生态系统，能够跨多个品类生产世界级产品。该国战略性的地理位置，加上丰富的自然资源和熟练的劳动力，吸引了大量外国投资，同时促进了国内制造商的成长。
制造能力涵盖从大规模工业生产到专业手工流程，使泰国能够有效地服务于不同的细分市场。无论是为全球食品服务链生产大宗商品，还是为挑剔的国际消费者生产高端产品，泰国制造商都展示了卓越的适应性和质量一致性。其中许多制造商自豪地为其产品持有Thai SELECT认证，进一步证明了他们对真实性和卓越品质的承诺。
可持续实践的整合变得越来越重要，许多泰国食品制造商采用了环保的生产方法。这种对可持续性的承诺与全球消费者趋势和监管要求相一致，进一步增强了泰国在国际市场上的竞争力。
通过烹饪卓越成就进行文化外交
Thai SELECT计划 体现了泰国文化外交的创新方法，利用食品作为在全球推广国家软实力的工具。随着18,852家泰国餐厅在全球运营，获得Thai SELECT认证的餐厅作为质量基准，提升了整个行业的声誉。
这种文化外交超越了单纯的商业—它代表了泰国在分享其丰富遗产的同时与国际社会建立有意义联系的承诺。该计划的成功证明了真实性和质量如何能够与全球扩张共存，为泰国企业创造可持续的竞争优势。
展望未来：泰国食品产业的愿景
随着泰国继续加强其作为全球食品行业领导者的地位，对泰国特色的关注仍然是其战略愿景的核心。即将到来的2025年泰国亚洲世界食品博览会（THAIFEX - Anuga Asia）将作为一个关键平台，展示这些成就，同时促进新的伙伴关系并探索新兴市场机遇。
Thai SELECT计划的持续发展，包括其正在进行的旨在提升全球认可度的品牌重塑计划，代表了泰国在拥抱创新的同时保持最高烹饪真实性标准的承诺。优雅的“兰花之星”符号的整合将进一步区分泰国美食在国际市场中的高端定位。
DITP通过综合计划、市场情报和国际网络继续支持泰国食品出口商的承诺，确保泰国食品产业将继续蓬勃发展。预测显示增长将持续且国际认可度将不断提高，泰国食品行业已准备好书写其非凡成功故事的下一章。
泰国特色的精髓——以和谐、品质和文化纯正——无疑将继续引导泰国食品产业走向更高的国际赞誉。通过Thai SELECT的倡议和THAIFEX的旗舰活动，泰国确保世界不仅能继续品尝泰国美食，还能体验其所代表的丰富文化遗产，并按照全球最高标准进行认证和鉴定
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