Commerce Ministry Showcases Premium Rice, Fruits, and Agricultural Products at Gulfood 2026

Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, through the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), is showcasing premium Thai rice, fruits, and key agricultural products while engaging in business matching activities at Gulfood 2026, one of the world’s leading food and beverage trade exhibitions, held from January 26–30, 2026 in Dubai.

The initiative aims to expand market opportunities for Thai agricultural products, particularly rice, fresh produce, and fruit, in the Middle East. Thai products have attracted strong interest from buyers, importers, restaurants, and supermarket chains, reinforcing confidence in Thailand’s potential to further penetrate the regional market.

Mr. Jirawut Suwannart, (จิรวุฒิ สุวรรณอาจ) Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, said the department brought farmer groups, large-scale community enterprises, and entrepreneurs participating in the government’s agricultural support programme—which focuses on purchasing produce during peak harvest periods—to take part in product showcases and business negotiations at the event. Thailand’s participation is held under the theme “Local Ingredients, World-Class Experiences.”

This year, Thai products are exhibited in the Gulfood Green Zone, an area dedicated to fresh, clean, and high-quality agricultural produce. The Thai pavilion features a wide range of products sourced directly from production areas, including premium local rice varieties, fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs in high demand in Middle Eastern markets, such as shallots, Thai garlic, chilies, asparagus, baby corn, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.

Thai fruits—presented in both fresh and processed forms—have also drawn strong interest from Middle Eastern importers. Popular varieties include rambutan, mangosteen, durian, longan, mango, and rose apple, all freshly harvested and showcased for quality inspection and tasting during the exhibition.

On the first day of the event, the Thai pavilion received an enthusiastic response from importers from the Middle East and Europe, particularly foodservice operators and supermarket buyers seeking raw ingredients from Thailand. Products such as shallots from Si Sa Ket Province were highlighted for their strong demand. Thai fruits were praised for their distinctive sweetness, aroma, and texture, which align well with consumer preferences in Middle Eastern markets. Premium rice, offered in both raw and ready-to-eat formats for tasting, also attracted considerable attention.

The Department is confident that participation in Gulfood 2026 will help strengthen supply chain linkages from producers to buyers, enabling direct negotiations, fostering long-term trade partnerships, and generating sustainable income for Thai farmers.

In addition, bringing farmers and produce aggregators to meet buyers in person allows for comprehensive communication regarding cultivation methods, harvesting, quality selection, and post-harvest management—factors that are particularly important to Middle Eastern markets, which place high value on consistent quality, traceability, and international standards.

Mr. Thanapat Chawinaj, (ธนภัทร จาวินัจ) Manager of the Trat Provincial Agricultural Business Promotion Cooperative and a fruit farmer from Trat Province, said the event demonstrated clear opportunities for Thai farmers to expand into Middle Eastern markets. Direct engagement with buyers has provided valuable insight into market requirements and has motivated farmers to further improve product quality and standards to meet international demand.