Thailand - Market Entry Handbook
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1 | Page Thailand - Market Entry Handbook The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: Thailand: a Practical Guide to the Market in Thailand for European Agri-food Products 2 | Page Thailand - Market Entry Handbook Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). This document has been prepared for the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) acting under the mandate from the European Commission. It reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission / Chafea cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Euromonitor International Passport Data Disclaimer While every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy and reliability, Euromonitor International cannot be held responsible for omissions or errors of historic figures or analyses. While every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy and reliability, Agra CEAS cannot be held responsible for omissions or errors in the figures or analyses provided and cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Note: the term EU in this handbook refers to the EU-27 excluding the UK, unless otherwise specified. For product trade stats, data is presented in order of exporter size for reasons of readability. Data for the UK is presented separately where it represents a notable origin (>5% of imports). In case it represents a negligible origin that would not be visually identifiable in a graph, data for the UK is incorporated under “rest of the world”. More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu). EB-03-20-301-EN-N– ISBN 978-92-9478-537-4– doi: 10.2818/082379 © European Union (*), 2020 Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The reuse policy of European Commission documents is regulated by Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). 3 | Page Thailand - Market Entry Handbook Contents 1 The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: Thailand ................................................................. 9 1.1 How to use this handbook ............................................................................................................ 9 2 Country introduction and overview .................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Country overview: Thailand at a glance ...................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 Past economic and political trends ......................................................................................... 11 2.1.2 Current economic situation and mid-term outlook ................................................................ 11 2.1.3 Populations trends .................................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Geography and key markets ....................................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 Overview of urban markets .................................................................................................... 15 2.2.2 Snapshots of important markets ............................................................................................ 16 2.3 Domestic agricultural production and regions ........................................................................... 23 2.3.1 Agriculture, climate and climate change ................................................................................ 24 3 Introduction to the food and beverage market and consumers ........................................................ 26 3.1 Overview of the food and beverage market and demand for imported products ..................... 26 3.1.1 F&B market summary ............................................................................................................. 26 3.1.2 International trade in F&B ...................................................................................................... 26 3.1.3 The market for imported F&B ................................................................................................. 28 3.2 Growth Drivers and Trends ......................................................................................................... 29 3.3 Consumer profiles and preferences ............................................................................................ 31 3.3.2 Cultural Sensitivities and Other Considerations ..................................................................... 33 4 Market access and entry ..................................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Summary SWOT analysis ............................................................................................................. 36 4.2 Food and beverage legislation and regulations .......................................................................... 37 4.2.1 Import requirements/restrictions, customs procedures and documentation ....................... 37 4.2.2 Food safety and other food certification requirements ......................................................... 40 4.2.3 Labelling Requirements .......................................................................................................... 45 4.2.4 Protection of intellectual property rights, including geographical Indications (GIs) .............. 51 4.2.5 Relevant authorities for IPR and GI protection and further contacts ..................................... 53 4.3 International trade ...................................................................................................................... 53 4.3.1 Thailand and foreign trade ...................................................................................................... 53 4.3.2 Key trade agreements, present and future ............................................................................ 53 4 | Page Thailand - Market Entry Handbook 4.3.3 EU Thailand FTA history and current status ............................................................................ 54 4.3.4 WTO disputes and other trade barriers .................................................................................. 54 4.3.5 Summary of key trade barriers ............................................................................................... 55 4.4 Operating in the Thai food and beverage market ...................................................................... 56 4.4.1 Logistical services and transportation infrastructure ............................................................. 56 4.4.2 Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 61 4.4.3 Business environment ............................................................................................................. 65 4.4.4 Key operational considerations and challenges: summary .................................................... 66 4.4.5 Other relevant information ..................................................................................................... 66 5 Market Snapshots for Selected Products ............................................................................................ 67 5.1 Fresh meat .................................................................................................................................. 68 5.1.1 SWOT analysis ......................................................................................................................... 68 5.1.2 Consumption ........................................................................................................................... 68 5.1.3 Offer ........................................................................................................................................ 75 5.1.4 Specific market entry requirements ....................................................................................... 79 5.1.5 Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 80 5.1.6 Challenges for EU products ..................................................................................................... 82 5.2 Fresh fruit and vegetables .......................................................................................................... 83 5.2.1 SWOT analysis ......................................................................................................................... 83 5.2.2 Consumption ........................................................................................................................... 83 5.2.3 Offer ........................................................................................................................................ 91 5.2.4 Specific market entry requirements ....................................................................................... 98 5.2.5 Distribution ........................................................................................................................... 100 5.2.6 Challenges for EU products ................................................................................................... 101 5.3 Dairy .........................................................................................................................................