Value-added foods pushed | Bangkok Post: business

Food manufacturers should switch from whole to value-added foods with higher margins to benefit from the growing trend in the functional foods sector in the next two to five years, says the National Innovation Agency (NIA).

Director Supachai Lorlowhakarn said Thailand must make use of its agriculture and food production, as the future will see the convergence of food and medicine with ''nutraceutical'' products in which separating the two will be difficult.

''Yes, we can talk about competing in other businesses such as electronics and electrical appliances that have a large amount of exports, but the margin is small compared with functional foods that cost just a few baht'' but sell for hundreds of baht, said Dr Supachai.