Despite the political problems, food exports are expected to manage growth of at least 4.8% this year.
A presenter poses next to cans of popcorn displayed at Thaifex: World of Food Asia 2014. The growing popularity of Chicago-based Garrett popcorn has brought in more brands from both local and foreign manufacturers. The fair is open only to trade visitors today and tomorrow, but the public can attend on Saturday and Sunday. TAWATCHAI KHEMGUMNERD
"Food export prospects remain promising, as indicated by the constant number of foreign exhibitors and trade partners that have participated in Thaifex: World of Food Asia 2014," said permanent commerce secretary Srirat Rastapana. "No one has skipped the event despite the Army's declaration of martial law."
Thaifex, a food expo attracting producers and exporters of a wide variety of food including halal products, healthy and organic food, new products and recent innovations in food technology kicked off yesterday and will run until Sunday at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
The event is also an ideal venue for food importers including shops, supermarkets and restaurants to source new suppliers, build new business networks and search for business choices.
Business matching allows participants to start convenient negotiations, while even factory visits can be arranged to ensure the success of potential future partnerships.
Visitors are offered high-quality food products from 1,500 companies in Thailand and 37 other countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Italy, Brazil, Taiwan, Turkey and the US along with European nations.
Mrs Srirat said the five-day expo is expected to draw 96,000 visitors and generate 5 billion baht in sales.
Poj Aramwattananond, president of the Thai Frozen Food Association, said the declaration of martial law had little impact on export activities, as reflected by the great number of foreign food-related operators participating in the fair.
"Negotiations on food trade at the fair are still running as usual," said Mr Poj, adding that prospects for food and overall shipments remained positive due mainly to the global economic recovery.
The Commerce Ministry said Thailand's food shipments last year fell by 2.6% to a value of US$17.8 billion due mainly to a fall in farm product prices, particularly rice, rubber and shrimp.
Overall shipments experienced a contraction of 0.31% from 2012 to $229 billion, the first in four years since the US "hamburger crisis" crashed Thai exports by 14.26% in 2009.
For the first two months of this year, food exports were down by 7.8% year-on-year to a value of $2.63 billion.