The value of exports rose 12.34% year-on-year in April to US$18.94 billion, the 14th consecutive month of growth. Imports were up 20.36% to $20.23 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $1.29 billion.
The country exported 120,000 tonnes of durian, up 135% year-on-year, with a value estimated at $220 million, rising 207% year-on-year. Of this, 56,000 tonnes went to China, a staggering rise of 700%.
Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said on Tuesday that the total value of exports in the first four months of this year stood at $81.77 billion, up 11.53%, and imports were valued at $81.10 billion, up 17.18%. The country had a trade surplus of $673 million for the four months.
Ms Pimchanok said exports grew to most high-potential markets, including India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, the European Union, Japan and China.
Increasing industrial exports included automobiles and parts, computers and parts, plastic pellets and refined oil. For farm products, significant increases were recorded for vegetables, fruit, rice, tapioca and chicken.
Ms Pimchanok expected overall growth of exports would exceed 8%.
She said a weaker baht would support exports, but businesses should prepare for possible foreign exchange fluctuations.
