Abstract
A major feature of vegetable production in Thailand is that cabbage boasts the largest production volume. According to data for 2022, cabbage production volume was 215kt (kilotons), ranking first in Thailand’s entire vegetable production. This indicates that cabbage plays an important role in the country’s food culture, is relatively easy to cultivate, and has high market demand. In terms of land use, vegetable production in Thailand is mainly carried out in the arid and central regions, making irrigation and securing water resources an important issue. When it comes to tomatoes, there are large differences in production volume depending on their use. For example, while a large amount of tomatoes are produced for eating fresh, there is also a certain amount of production of tomatoes for processing, which are supplied to the food processing industry. Based on this data, Thailand’s vegetable production is efficiently distributed according to market demand, and it is expected that major items such as cabbage and tomato will continue to have stable production in the future.
Production (by vegetables)
The production volume of cabbage in Thailand’s vegetable production has shown significant fluctuations between 1961 and 2022. In particular, the peak was recorded in 2002 at 854kt, and has been declining ever since. Production volume in 2022 will be about 25.2% of its peak, a significant drop from the previous maximum value. There are several possible factors that could explain this decline. First, as agricultural techniques in Thailand have evolved, there has been a shift to other crops and more profitable crops. In particular, cabbage is sensitive to high temperatures and humidity, and climate change and seasonal fluctuations affect production, making it difficult to ensure a stable supply. It is also believed that the reduction in the area under cabbage cultivation has been a result of agricultural workers moving to urban areas and diversifying their farming practices. However, cabbage still plays an important role in Thai food culture and production is not expected to cease completely due to domestic consumption and export demand. In the future, it will be necessary to develop more climate-resistant varieties and introduce more efficient agricultural techniques.
The maximum is 262kt[2020] of Domestic_supply, and the current value is about 93.5%
Yield(by vegetable)
Eggplant production in Thailand showed significant fluctuations between 1961 and 2022. The highest production was recorded in 2013 at 35.2 t/ha, and since then, eggplant production has declined to 83.5% of its peak. This downward trend can be attributed to several factors. First of all, the production efficiency of eggplant is greatly influenced by soil quality and climatic conditions, and weather fluctuations, especially drought and high temperatures and humidity, directly affect the yield. It is believed that one of the reasons for this is that these changes in the natural environment have made stable production difficult. In addition, compared to other highly profitable crops, eggplant’s market price is not stable, and farmers tend to switch to other crops. In particular, a shift to more commercially profitable crops may have led to a decline in the area of eggplant production. On the other hand, eggplant is deeply rooted in Thai food culture and is in high demand, especially in home cooking and restaurants, so it is predicted that demand will remain at a certain level in the future. Furthermore, as eggplant varieties are improved and agricultural techniques continue to improve, we can expect productivity to increase again in the future. It can be said that we have reached a time when sustainable agricultural support and technological innovation will be key.
The maximum is 35.2t/ha[2013] of Eggplant, and the current value is about 83.5%
Land use (by vegetables)
Looking at the characteristics of land use in Thailand’s vegetable production in 2022, cucumber occupies the largest area, with the land use area reaching 18.9 kha. This is a large proportion of the total production area of 40.6kha, reflecting the extremely high demand for cucumbers both domestically and internationally. Cucumbers play an important role in Thai food culture and are widely consumed in salads and as a garnish to dishes. As a result, cucumber production maintains a stable and high land use. In addition, the overall average land use is 5.8kha, with cucumbers accounting for a particularly large proportion. This shows that other vegetables are cultivated in comparatively smaller areas. The bias in land use is thought to be influenced by climatic conditions, market demand, and economic incentives for farmers. Cucumber cultivation is relatively efficient, with a short harvest cycle, making it an attractive crop for farmers and allowing for large-scale production. It is expected that land use for cucumbers will remain high in Thailand’s vegetable production in the future, but there may be fluctuations in the land use area for other crops due to climate change and market changes.
The maximum is 137kt of Production volume, the average is 137kt, and the total is 137kt
Tomato usage
Tomato production in Thailand has reflected the growing domestic demand from 1961 to the present, and is notable for being the largest in terms of ”domestic supply.” According to data from 1961, the largest amount of tomatoes produced was for domestic supply, at 262kt, a value that remains at the highest level today. In Thailand, tomatoes are widely used both raw and in cooking, and are particularly popular in home cooking and restaurants. In addition, Thailand’s tomato market is growing mainly due to domestic supply, and although a certain amount of tomatoes is used for processing (such as ketchup and tomato sauce), the demand for fresh tomatoes remains high. In response to the increase in domestic demand, tomato production has expanded, and efficient cultivation methods and improved varieties have been developed. On the other hand, production of tomatoes for export is limited, with domestic consumption accounting for the majority of production. As a result, Thailand’s tomato production prioritizes domestic supply, maintaining a stable supply system. Considering that demand in the domestic market will remain strong in the future, Thai tomato production will likely continue to prioritize domestic supply while also seeking to improve quality and harvesting efficiency.
The maximum is 262kt[2020] of Domestic_supply, and the current value is about 93.5%
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