Bangkok: The Thai government is intensifying its efforts to penetrate the Japanese market by promoting Thai cassava in high-value industrial chains to bolster the position of Thai farmers and entrepreneurs.

According to Thai News Agency, the Department of International Trade is enhancing its policy to continuously promote Thai cassava exports to promising markets. A delegation comprising government officials, academics, and private sector representatives is set to visit Tokyo, Japan, from February 25-26, 2026, with the goal of expanding trade opportunities for cassava products. The focus will be on the animal feed and consumer goods industries, enhancing value-added processed products, and reducing reliance on a single primary export market.

Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, disclosed that in 2026, the Department plans to further expand cassava export markets to potential countries. The focus will be on high-value processed cassava products, such as cassava pellets, modified cassava starch, and premium-grade cassava starch. This strategy is aimed at meeting the demand of downstream industries in Japan, particularly the livestock and consumer goods sectors, which presents a substantial opportunity for Thai products to penetrate deeper markets following successful trade negotiations at the end of 2025.

Recently, a Japanese firm specializing in agricultural product innovation and food production consulting has shown interest in importing tapioca pearls and thermoplastic starch made from Thai tapioca starch. This indicates the potential of Thai products as new-generation industrial raw materials tailored to the demands of the premium market.

Ms. Lalida emphasized that Thai cassava is distinguished by its quality and production standards. It is a source of non-genetically modified (Non-GMO) and gluten-free carbohydrates, aligning with the Japanese market's focus on consumer safety. This positions Thai cassava for development into a high-value industrial chain.

Japan ranks as Thailand's second-largest export market for cassava. In 2025, Thailand exported 394,742 tons of cassava to Japan, valued at US$261.64 million, with processed cassava starch accounting for over 84 percent of the total export value.