BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's exports rose for a fifth straight month in December but at a slower pace and less than analysts' forecasts, and the commerce ministry said on Friday that it expected small export growth in 2024 after a slight drop last year.
Customs-based exports rose 4.7% in December from a year earlier, compared with a forecast for a 6.0% year-on-year increase in a Reuters poll, and following November's 4.9% rise.
December exports, a key driver of Thailand's economy, dropped 2.9% from the previous month.
"Geopolitical problems that affect global trade and pose risks to the global supply chain remain a significant factor that need monitoring as they could impact future exports," the ministry said.
China's economic slowdown will also have a big impact on Thai exports this year, Keerati Rushchano, the ministry's permanent secretary, told a briefing.
China was Thailand's second-largest export market in 2023 with a 12% market share, after the United States' 17.2% share.
As exports dropped 1% last year, Keerati said the ministry's 2024 working target for export growth of 1% to 2% "is challenging".
In December, shipments of cars and car parts as well as electronics increased but exports of chemicals dropped.
Rice export volumes increased 4.1% in December from a year earlier, with the value up 27%. Rice shipments rose 13.7% to 8.76 million metric tons in 2023.
Rice exports saw high demand due to concerns over food security, Keerati said.
In December, shipments to the United States rose 0.3% from a year earlier and those to Japan dropped 3.7%, while exports to China increased 2%.
December imports fell 3.1% year-on-year, creating a trade surplus of $0.97 billion.
Full-year 2023 imports dropped 3.8% annually while the country's trade deficit stood at $5.2 billion.