Shippers eye 5% export growth

The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) is confident exports will grow by 5% this year despite a potential slowdown in the final quarter.

- PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the TNSC, said the total export value surged by 13.3% year-on-year to US$223.2 billion in the first eight months of this year, while imports increased by 11.3% to $224.9 billion.

As of October, the council remains confident exports will grow by 3-5% this year, driven by strong growth in the first and second quarters, offsetting the slowdown in the second half.

However, the TNSC is monitoring several risks that could affect exports for the rest of the year and into 2026.

The main risk is US tariffs, which are contributing to instability in the global economy and highlight the fragility of global trade, he said.

Other concerns include the baht's appreciation, limited access to credit for small businesses, shortages of raw materials for export production and product circumvention.