Chile and Thailand conclude 2025 by celebrating the tenth anniversary of their Free Trade Agreement, a milestone that coincides with one of the most dynamic years in bilateral trade.
From food security to creative industries and from startups to sustainable energy, the partnership now rests on broader, deeper foundations.
In a detailed end-of-year conversation, Oscar Arriagada, Trade Commissioner of ProChile Thailand, reflected on this pivotal moment and outlined how Chile intends to build on the momentum generated throughout the year.
A Year of strong trade performance
Arriagada described 2025 as a “very positive year”. He noted that Chile recorded steady growth in non-copper and non-lithium exports, particularly in seafood, wood products, fruit and wine.
Thailand remains Chile’s largest market in ASEAN and is expected to close the year with trade figures of around US$500 million.
Across the wider region, Chilean exports to ASEAN reached US$906 million in 2024, expanding at an average annual rate of more than 11 per cent since 2018. These results reaffirm ASEAN’s importance within Chile’s long-term diversification strategy.
ASEAN is not only growing quickly. It is strategically important for Chile. Thailand is the anchor from which the region becomes accessible.”
New export chapters: Creative industries and innovation
Chile’s presence in Thailand is widely recognised for its premium foods such as cherries, blueberries, mussels, salmon and wine. Yet 2025 marked a significant expansion of Chile’s export identity.
Arriagada explained that ProChile is pursuing a “deliberate and sustained diversification agenda”. Thailand has become an enthusiastic partner in this effort.
Progress was made in publishing, where connections were established with the Bangkok Book Fair, and in visual arts, which benefited from exposure during the Chile-ASEAN Business Summit 2025.
These developments opened doors for future collaboration between the Thai and Chilean cultural sectors.
Opportunities also emerged in technology and innovation. Chile positioned itself as a point of reference for Thailand in the Latin American innovation ecosystem.
The first Chilean startup delegation to Thailand, supported by Imagine Group, showcased solutions in agritech, fintech, aquaculture services and creative industries. Interest from Thai partners was strong.
“We are working to ensure that Thailand sees Chile not only as a producer of world-class food, but as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Food security and sustainability: Shared priorities
Chile’s reputation as a reliable, safe and sustainable food supplier has become central to its relationship with Thailand. The country benefits from natural protective barriers, modern sanitary standards and strong traceability systems, allowing it to export confidently to more than 170 destinations.
Arriagada emphasised how highly Thai importers value Chile’s consistency and reliability. This contributes directly to Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s leading food processors and exporters.
Chile’s ambitions in renewable energy also resonate with Thailand’s long-term goals. The country is advancing rapidly in green hydrogen, with the potential to generate energy far beyond its domestic needs.
“Chile is on track to become one of the most competitive green hydrogen producers in the world. This creates space for long-term cooperation with Thailand’s energy transition.”
A Decade of the FTA: Progress and work ahead
The tenth anniversary of the FTA serves both as a celebration and a strategic checkpoint. The agreement has helped facilitate tariff-free access, encourage business development and support diversification.
Yet further progress depends on expanding sanitary approvals. Chile currently exports five fruits to Thailand: cherries, apples, blueberries, grapes and kiwifruit. Chile hopes to add stone fruits and, in the medium term, secure approval for beef and lamb.
These steps would provide Thai consumers and businesses with a broader range of safe, premium products. They would also allow Chile’s exporters to strengthen their presence in a competitive market.
Thailand’s strategic role as a regional hub
Thailand now plays a central role in Chile’s broader ASEAN strategy. Its strong retail networks, competitive food-processing sector, advanced logistics and growing tourism industry make it an ideal gateway for Chilean companies.
From Thailand, Chile can project business initiatives into neighbouring markets including Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Arriagada also highlighted the opportunity for Thai exporters and investors in Chile. The country offers a stable and transparent environment, a strong food and forestry industry, an emerging clean-energy sector and cultural openings created by the rising popularity of Thai cuisine, television and Muay Thai among Chileans.
“There is huge potential for Thai and Chilean companies to collaborate in innovation, agriculture, manufacturing and cultural production. The complementarity is very clear.”
Priorities for 2026
Looking ahead, ProChile intends to build on the momentum generated in 2025. The priorities include strengthening ties in creative industries, accelerating cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship, advancing sanitary approvals for beef and lamb, and deepening relationships with Thai retailers, importers and wholesalers.
ProChile also plans to establish the Chile-ASEAN Business Meeting as a permanent annual platform hosted in Thailand.
"Our goal is to deepen Chile’s presence in ASEAN and continue diversifying our export offer in an intelligent, sustainable way.”
Entering a new decade of partnership
The tenth anniversary of the Chile-Thailand Free Trade Agreement marks the beginning of a new phase. The relationship, once centred mainly on commodities, now includes innovation, culture, technology and sustainability. Both countries stress a forward-looking perspective and a commitment to long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation.
Photo courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile
