Thailand is buying like never before: imports jump 50.4% to a September record
Purchases reached US$44.3 billion in the month, with a trade deficit of almost US$5.9 billion. Brazil, which traded US$5.7bn with Thailand in 2025, wants a bigger share.
In 30 seconds
- Thailand's imports totalled US$44.3 billion in September, up 50.4% from September 2025 and a record for the month. Economists expected around 31%.
- Exports also grew, by 24% to US$38.4 billion, driven by electronics. Even so, the country ended the month with a US$5.86 billion deficit.
- Brazil is seeking to reopen the Thai market to its beef and to become a full dialogue partner of ASEAN, the bloc Thailand belongs to.
The news
Thailand imported US$44.3 billion in September, 50.4% more than in the same month of 2025, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) of the Thai Commerce Ministry. It was the highest figure on record for the month, well above economists' forecast of 31.3% growth.
Exports rose 24% to US$38.4 billion, the 27th consecutive month of growth. Excluding oil, gold and military equipment, growth was 28.2%, led by electronics and electrical appliances. Shipments to the United States, the top destination, rose 50.1%, and to Latin America 29.3%.
With purchases growing faster than sales, the trade balance closed September with a US$5.86 billion deficit. From January to September, the country exported US$304.6 billion (up 19.6%) and imported US$348.3 billion (up 37.8%), a cumulative deficit of US$43.7 billion. TPSO projects 15% to 16% export growth in 2026, possibly reaching 19%.
Why it matters
A country importing at a record pace is a buyer with appetite, and Thailand is a target of Brazil's trade diplomacy. In September, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira visited Bangkok with two goals: reopening the Thai market to Brazilian beef, closed since 2024, and advancing Brazil's bid to become a full dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to Agência Brasil, the government expects this at the ASEAN summit on November 10 to 12 in the Philippines, or from January 2027. Trade between the two countries reached US$5.7 billion in 2025.
The data released so far do not detail what drove the rise in Thai imports, so it is not yet possible to say which Brazilian sectors could benefit directly. What the figures show is an economy buying and selling more, with the electronics industry in front.
What to do
- 1If you buy electronics or components from Thailand, confirm lead times with suppliers: the country's exports are at their strongest pace of the year and capacity may tighten.
What we know — and what we don't
- Thai imports of US$44.3 billion in September 2026, up 50.4% and a record for the month (TPSO, via Thai media)
- Exports of US$38.4 billion, up 24%, and a US$5.86 billion deficit in the month
- January to September: exports of US$304.6 billion (+19.6%) and imports of US$348.3 billion (+37.8%)
- Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira's visit to Bangkok on September 8 to 10, focused on beef and ASEAN
- Brazil–Thailand trade of US$5.7 billion in 2025 (Agência Brasil)
- Which products drove the 50.4% rise in Thai imports
- The split between exports and imports in 2025 Brazil–Thailand trade
- Whether and when Thailand will reopen its market to Brazilian beef
- Whether Brazil will be recognised as a full ASEAN dialogue partner in November
Thailand's figures
| Indicator | September 2026 | January to September |
|---|---|---|
| Exports | US$38.4bn (+24%) | US$304.6bn (+19.6%) |
| Imports | US$44.3bn (+50.4%) | US$348.3bn (+37.8%) |
| Balance | −US$5.86bn | −US$43.7bn |
Where Thailand sold more in September
| Destination | Change in exports |
|---|---|
| United States | +50.1% |
| European Union | +35% |
| Latin America | +29.3% |
| ASEAN (five largest markets) | +27% |
| Japan | +19% |
| China | +18.4% |
Source: Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), Thai Commerce Ministry, as reported by Thai media on 26 and 27/10/2026.
Sources
- The Nation (Tailândia) — Thai trade gap hits US$5.86bn in September as imports surge (dados do TPSO) — published 10/26/2026 · accessed 10/27/2026
- Kaohoon International — Thailand's Imports Surge 50.4% to Record High in September — published 10/26/2026 · accessed 10/27/2026
- The Nation (Tailândia) — Thai farm exports weaken as electronics power record September shipments — published 10/27/2026 · accessed 10/27/2026
- Agência Brasil — Brasil vai ao Sudeste Asiático mirando virar parceiro pleno da Asean — published 09/10/2026 · accessed 10/27/2026