Thailand: Container Market 2025

Container Market Size in Thailand

The Thai container market reduced to $X in 2022, dropping by -6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Production in Thailand

In value terms, container production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Container production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Container Exports

Exports from Thailand

In 2022, shipments abroad of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers increased by 3% to X units, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +41.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X units in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, container exports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 67%. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X units), Myanmar (X units) and Cambodia (X units) were the main destinations of container exports from Thailand, together comprising 23% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Myanmar (with a CAGR of +21.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Vietnam ($X), Cambodia ($X) and Japan ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for container exported from Thailand worldwide, with a combined 19% share of total exports.

Cambodia, with a CAGR of +17.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average container export price amounted to $X per unit, rising by 5.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2016 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Cambodia (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Container Imports

Imports into Thailand

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers decreased by -0.6% to X units in 2022. In general, imports recorded a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.8%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, container imports rose markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 11%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Malaysia (X units), Taiwan (Chinese) (X units) and China (X units) were the main suppliers of container imports to Thailand, with a combined 32% share of total imports. Vietnam, Japan, Singapore and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Singapore (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Malaysia ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and China ($X) appeared to be the largest container suppliers to Thailand, with a combined 32% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Malaysia, with a CAGR of +5.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average container import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, surging by 7.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per unit), while the price for Vietnam ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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