ไทย
Global food industry trends are changing. Consumers are focusing on nutritious, healthy, safe, and environmentally sustainable food.
Informa Markets Thailand, a global trade exhibition and business event provider, reveals that Thai food manufacturers are ready to adapt to new trends, using innovation and technology to increase the value of Thai food exports by 20-30%, and are poised for growth by 2027, when the “food products of the future” are expected to reach a value of 500 billion baht.
Kotchasorn Tocharoenthanaphon, Deputy Director of Project Management at Informa Markets Thailand and organizer of ProPak Asia 2025, spoke about the development of Thailand’s food industry into the Future Food Industry, stating that Thailand is a major producer and exporter of food products worldwide, with the food industry accounting for 24.6% of GDP.
Data from the Food Institute, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Thai Industries reveal that Thai food exports in 2024 were valued at 1,638,445 million baht, a record increase of 7.3%. The food products with increased exports. These include rice, pet food, canned tuna, sauces and seasonings, ready-to-eat food, and coconut products. From the data, it can be seen that most of Thailand’s food exports are commodities or only primary processed.
“If we want to improve the quality, add value, and build competitiveness for Thai food products, we must advance into the food industry of the future, with food innovation and technology as the key.”
The future industry, in addition to meeting consumer demand for nutritious, safe, and healthy food, must also be sufficient for the global population and environmentally sustainable. Currently, Thailand’s future food sector accounts for only 11% of the total value of food exports.
“If innovation is applied to food processing, it will increase food export value by 20-30%. By 2027, it is expected that Thailand’s future food product exports will be worth 500 billion baht.”.
3 food products of the future
- Alternative protein foods such as plant-based meat and insect protein.
- Functional & Medical Food: such as probiotic and prebiotic supplements, food for the elderly and patients, food for the brain and immunity.
- Environmentally friendly food (Sustainable & Upcycled Food) such as food from algae protein and microorganisms, food from agricultural waste materials, food using advanced technology (Food Tech & Smart Food) such as food using advanced technology.
Mr. Chet Mektaweekul, Managing Director of MT Food Systems Co., Ltd., an importer of food industry machinery from the European Union, Japan, etc. for the food, processed meat, ready-to-eat food, beverages, and pet food businesses, revealed that
Technological changes are rapid, such as the use of automation systems to improve production processes, or Smart Factory 4.0 support systems, such as access to machine and production process data, allowing manufacturers to access and use the data continuously in the future.
In addition to introducing new machinery technologies to customers to improve production, the company has also expanded its business into R&D for automation and AI to support future markets, reduce costs, and improve operations in the food business.
“Transforming the food industry of the future requires analyzing diverse data from the initial production process to the consumer. This will enable accurate understanding of market trends and consumer behavior.”.
Modern Food Industry
Aksel Arras, President of FPT Food Process Technology Co. , Ltd., a specialist in food processing, processing technology, machinery, healthy ingredients and integrated solutions for the food industry from farm to table, said:
In addition to focusing on sustainability, digital transformation and food safety, the development of the food industry of the future is a goal of the new food industry.
Investments in research and development, the adoption of manufacturing solutions and technologies, the use of AI to analyze data, and the use of digital tools to improve supply chain efficiency and enhance performance are required. Food safety, traceability, and sustainability are also prioritized to raise standards, quality, and add value to food products to meet global market demand.
In terms of innovation development, the company has focused on developing technologies in the food processing industry, such as the i-Box RFID paperless tracking system, which helps increase efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain food quality.
This technology has been applied across the meat processing, dairy and food manufacturing industries, and the company has also invested in a state-of-the-art R&D centre in Singapore to develop future foods in collaboration with food scientists from Temasek Institute. The investment will enhance the competitiveness of Thai food businesses while contributing to a more sustainable food system for the future.
ProPak Asia 2025 has highlighted the future of food as one of its key themes, providing a platform for food entrepreneurs and alternative food manufacturers, ingredient manufacturers, researchers, technology developers, investors and FoodTech startups to build new networks that will lead to the development of collaborations and access to investors and food companies interested in the future of food, as well as international markets to expand their food exports.
which has received cooperation from the owners of innovations and modern production technologies from around the world, with over 2,000 exhibitors from 42 countries, including food processing and production technology (ProcessingTechAsia), automated machinery, production robots (Food Robotics), AI & IoT for the food industry.
Sustainable Packaging Technology (PackagingTechAsia), Biodegradable Packaging, Recyclable Packaging, Smart Packaging, Food Safety Solutions (Lab&TestAsia), Food Quality Control Systems, and the launch of the Future Food Corner, which will present trends and insights into solutions shaping the future of the food industry.
Read more at: https://www.prachachat.net/sd-plus/sdplus-sustainability/news-1765696