Bangkok: Durian exports significantly boosted Thailand's cross-border trade in April 2026, with a remarkable 62.3% increase in trade activity, largely driven by exports to China that exceeded 229,000 tons.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of International Trade Promotion reported that the surge in trade was primarily fueled by fresh durian exports to China, which amounted to 229,000 tons worth nearly 31 billion baht, marking an 89.6% increase. The electronics sector also contributed to the growth, supporting a 27.5% expansion in overall border and cross-border trade value.
Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of International Trade, highlighted that transit trade to third countries in April 2026 totaled 137,106 million baht, reflecting a 62.3% increase compared to the same period last year. This included exports valued at 78,999 million baht, a 65.6% rise, and imports worth 58,107 million baht, up by 58%. China retained its position as Thailand's leading transit trading partner, with a total trade value of 80,948 million baht, increasing by 52.7%, followed by Singapore and Vietnam.
The significant driver of cross-border exports was fresh durian, with the export volume reaching 229,617 tons and valued at 30,980 million baht, representing an 89.6% increase. Nearly all of this, or 229,533 tons valued at 30,971 million baht, was exported to China, highlighting the consistent demand for Thai fruit in the Chinese market. Additionally, the electronics sector showed robust growth, with hard disk drives valued at 10,199 million baht, a 33.1% increase; computers and other equipment valued at 6,396 million baht, a 300.6% increase; and telephones and accessories valued at 5,655 million baht, an increase exceeding 10,067%.
Imports through border crossings also experienced growth, particularly in the electronics and computer parts sector. Key imported goods included computer components valued at 7,447 million baht, a substantial 169.9% increase, computers and equipment valued at 5,833 million baht, a 127.2% increase, and magnetic tapes or disks for computers valued at 5,824 million baht, a 6% increase. Overall, Thailand's border and transit trade in April 2026 amounted to 211,146 million baht, a 27.5% increase. Exports totaled 121,521 million baht, a 25.4% rise, while imports were 89,625 million baht, a 30.5% increase, resulting in a trade surplus of 31,896 million baht.
Despite the overall growth, border trade with four neighboring countries totaled 74,040 million baht, a decrease of 8.7%. Thai-Cambodian border trade remained at zero due to the closure of all 18 border checkpoints on the Cambodian side. Malaysia continues to be Thailand's top border trading partner, followed by Laos and Myanmar. For the first four months of 2026, total border and transit trade amounted to 690,043 million baht, a 9.1% increase. Exports reached 378,408 million baht, a 7.3% rise, while imports were 311,636 million baht, an 11.3% increase, leading to a trade surplus of 66,772 million baht.