Thai April exports up 13.1% year-on-year - commerce minister

[webfact]

FILE PHOTO: Cargo ships are loaded with containers as they are docked at the port near Chao Phraya river in Bangkok October 29, 2013. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's exports jumped a more than expected 13.09% in April from a year earlier, the fastest pace in three years, as global demand increased, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

 

That compares with a forecast for an increase of 9.6% in a Reuters poll and a rise of 8.47% in March.

 

April's exports, a key driver of Thai growth, were led by higher shipments of cars and auto parts, rubber, computers and oil, ministry official Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit told a briefing.

 

"Exports expanded sharply in most key markets," he said, adding the rollout of vaccines in several countries had supported a global economic recovery.

 

Exports to China, Thailand's top market in April, jumped 21.9% from a year earlier, while those to the United States rose 9% and ones to the European Union soared 52.5%.

 

Earlier, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said exports would keep improving.

 

Imports in April rose 29.79% from a year earlier, beating a forecast 25.1% increase, resulting in a trade surplus of $182 million in the month.

 

In the January-April period, exports increased 4.78% from a year earlier while imports rose 13.85%, giving a trade surplus of $698 million.

 

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon, Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Editing by Ed Davies, Martin Petty)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-05-25

 

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[petermik]

Musn,t have had any at all last year...????

 

[RichardColeman]

I guess if we can believe these silly numbers Thailand wont need any tourists in the future  to increase up their GDP !

[tracker1]

With the poor exchange rate maybe another case of fiddled figures !

[John Drake]

Everything is great!

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's exports jumped a more than expected 13.09% in April from a year earlier,

I guess up from almost zero % that's easy to understand.