Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) at the Ministry of Commerce has developed a roadmap to transform the country into a hub for the global plant-based market.
The former Ministry of Commerce announced last month that Thailand aims to become a world leader in producing high-protein plant-based ingredients, tapping into the worldwide trend of plant-based diets.
The newly appointed Minister, Pichai Naripthaphani, will continue his predecessor’s plans to make the country a leader and accelerate future food exports, including plant proteins such as wheat, sorghum, barley, and corn.
From agricultural products to raw materials to food
TPSO states that the country must advance in various areas to become a hub. Based on a study of the country’s plant-based food industry to assess its potential, opportunities, and trends, it has released policy recommendations focusing on the following areas:
- Production and Processing: Enhance the production of high-quality plant-based food products, improve agricultural infrastructure, and foster collaboration among relevant agencies.
- Marketing: Expand domestic and international markets through targeted marketing and tourism initiatives, increasing consumer accessibility and promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Research, Technology, and Innovation: Invest in research, technology, and innovation to position Thailand as a global leader in plant-based food research and development.
- Database: Create a comprehensive database of agricultural products and plant-based food to support effective policy development and planning.
- Investment: Encourage domestic investment in the industry to boost competitiveness, product quality, and sustainability while promoting digital infrastructure to attract foreign investment.
- Law: Review and update laws and regulations on agricultural products and plant-based food to align with international standards and market demands.
This review of laws and regulations is significant since Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration recently drafted new labeling regulations prohibiting “meaty terms” and animal imagery in plant-based meat and dairy products.
“The agricultural sector is employing technology and innovation to enhance production efficiency, including the processing of agricultural products into raw materials for plant-based food production. This will create business opportunities for entrepreneurs both domestically and internationally,” Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the TPSO, told The Nation.
