Thai food manufacturers are being urged to explore Arab markets to exploit economic growth and high food demand in Persian Gulf states as demand slows in main markets.
Amorn Ngammongkolrat, executive vice-president of the National Food Institute, said opportunities are plentiful in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.
Economic growth in the GCC averages 3-5% per year thanks to increasing investment by both the public and private sector in infrastructure, energy and transport projects.
"Income per capita in Qatar is twice that in the US, Britain and Germany. It is forecast that the GCC's income per capita will total US$38.869 billion in 2017, up from this year's estimate of $34.827 billion," Mr Amorn said.
Halal food presents a promising growth market for Thai exporters. In 2020, the Muslim population is expected to reach 1.9 billion, representing nearly 25% of the world's population of 7.7 billion. It should increase to 2.2 billion a decade later.
"While food exports to main markets such as the US, Japan, Europe and Australia have been declining, we think halal food has high potential to grow, especially in the GCC," Mr Amorn said.
Last year, the GCC's food imports totalled 27.5 million tonnes or three times more than the amount produced locally.
Saudi Arabia consumed 62% of imports, followed by the UAE.
Imports have surged nearly 17% annually, led by rice, cereals, vegetables and fruit.
The GCC's population is not big at about 46 million, with growth of 3.3% annually, and is expected to hit 50 million in 2017.
Thai food exports to the GCC were worth nearly 40 billion baht last year for a 3.28% share.
Iraq, though not a member of the GCC, ranked top among Gulf states in terms of imports of Thai products, accounting for 52.7% of shipments, followed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.