Thailand opened THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026 on Wednesday, using one of Asia’s largest food and beverage trade fairs to reinforce its ambition to become a global hub for food trade, innovation and sustainable supply chains.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the opening ceremony at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani, where buyers from more than 130 countries are expected to meet food producers, exporters and technology providers from Thailand and abroad.
Organisers expect the five-day event to generate more than 130 billion baht in trade value, underscoring the continued importance of the food sector to Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.
The event is jointly organised by Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse, bringing together exhibitors from Thailand and 56 other countries. This year’s edition features 3,590 companies across 6,710 booths, covering food and beverages, agricultural products, processed food, food technology and related services.
From “Kitchen of the World” to Future Food Hub
For Thailand, the exhibition is more than a commercial showcase. It is also a signal of how the government wants to reposition the country’s food industry at a time when global buyers are placing greater emphasis on food security, traceability, sustainability and health-driven consumption.
Anutin said Thailand’s food industry remains one of the country’s core economic strengths, supported by abundant agricultural resources, biodiversity, production standards and an increasingly sophisticated food-processing ecosystem.
Thailand has long promoted itself as the “Kitchen of the World,” but the government is now seeking to move beyond that image. Its newer ambition is to become a future food hub, combining innovation, biotechnology, functional food, alternative proteins, smart agriculture and sustainable production.
“The food industry is one of Thailand’s key strengths,” Anutin said. “Thailand is moving beyond its role as the Kitchen of the World to become a future food hub that integrates innovation, sustainability, health and trust.”
The government has linked this strategy to its Bio-Circular-Green Economy model, which aims to support long-term growth by encouraging resource efficiency, clean energy adoption, higher-value production and more resilient supply chains.
Largest Edition Yet
THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026 is being held across all 12 exhibition halls at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, covering more than 140,000 square metres of exhibition space. Organisers said this makes it the largest edition of the event to date.
A new highlight this year is IMPACT Forum Hall 4, positioned as a destination for buyers looking for newly launched products, emerging brands and food innovations that have yet to enter mainstream distribution channels.
The expansion reflects both the growth of the event and rising international interest in Asia’s food and beverage market, particularly as global retailers, importers and distributors seek new suppliers and more diversified sourcing options.
Food Exports Remain a Strategic Pillar
Thailand’s food industry continues to play a major role in the country’s export economy. According to figures cited at the event, Thai food exports exceeded 1.254 trillion baht in 2025, highlighting the sector’s resilience despite global trade uncertainty and changing consumer demand.
The country’s competitive position is built on several factors: a strong agricultural base, established processing capabilities, international food safety standards, logistics infrastructure and a broad network of exporters.
But the industry also faces pressure to move up the value chain. Global buyers are increasingly looking for products that offer not only competitive pricing, but also clear provenance, health benefits, sustainable production and reliable supply.
That shift is pushing Thai companies to invest more heavily in innovation, branding and product development, particularly in areas such as plant-based food, wellness products, premium processed food and environmentally responsible packaging.
Business Platform for Global Buyers
With buyers from more than 130 countries attending, THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026 is expected to function as a major deal-making platform for exporters and international buyers.
For Thai producers, the event offers access not only to importers and distributors, but also to retailers, food service operators, chefs and investors seeking new products and partnerships.
The presence of international exhibitors also turns the event into a regional marketplace, allowing buyers to compare sourcing opportunities across Asia and beyond while using Bangkok as a central meeting point.
Trade days run from May 26 to 29, while the final day, May 30, is open to both trade visitors and the public, with retail sales available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A Test of Thailand’s Food Ambitions
The scale of THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026 reflects Thailand’s confidence in its food sector. But the country’s longer-term success will depend on whether it can translate that scale into higher-value exports, stronger global brands and deeper innovation.
As competition intensifies across Asia, Thailand’s challenge is no longer simply to supply food to the world. It must persuade global buyers that it can supply food that is safer, smarter, healthier and more sustainable.
For now, the message from Bangkok is clear: Thailand wants to be seen not just as a producer of food, but as a central player in shaping the future of global food trade.
