SI-012-07 :
Future Food & Bioeconomy
(Alternative Protein & Functional Food)

Situation

Thailand’s food industry is still largely concentrated in traditional product categories such as rice, seafood, processed foods, and basic consumer goods. While competitive in volume and cost, the system has limited presence in next-generation food segments, including:

• Alternative proteins (plant-based, fermentation, cultivated food)

• Functional and nutraceutical foods (health-enhancing products)

• Bio-based food ingredients and high-value compounds

Global demand is rapidly shifting toward health, sustainability, and personalized nutrition, yet Thailand’s current ecosystem is not fully aligned to capture these emerging markets.

Shift

The global food system is shifting from traditional consumption → science-driven, health-oriented, and sustainable food ecosystems.

Key transformations include:

• From animal-based proteins → alternative and sustainable protein sources

• From basic nutrition → functional and personalized nutrition

• From conventional processing → biotech-enabled food production

• From commodity markets → high-margin innovation-driven sectors

Food is converging with biotechnology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, forming the foundation of the bioeconomy.

Advantage

Thailand has strong potential to become a Future Food & Bioeconomy Leader in ASEAN:

• Deep expertise in food production and processing

• Rich biodiversity enabling bio-based innovation

• Established global food export reputation

• Strong culinary identity that can be extended into new product categories

• Integration potential with agro-industry (SI-012-03) and genetic resources (SI-012-08)

This allows Thailand to transition into:

“From Food Exporter → Future Food Innovator”

Additional Structural Advantage

Thailand can build a multi-layer future food ecosystem:

• R&D Layer → Food science, biotechnology, and bioengineering research

• Production Layer → Advanced manufacturing (precision fermentation, alternative protein production)

• Ingredient Layer → Functional compounds, nutraceuticals, bio-based ingredients

• Product Layer → Consumer-ready future food products (health, wellness, sustainability)

• Market Layer → Global branding, premium positioning, and export integration

Supported by:

• Collaboration between universities, biotech firms, and food industry

• Integration with agri-data, genetic resources, and processing systems

• Policy frameworks supporting innovation and commercialization

This creates a system where food evolves into a high-tech, high-margin industry.

Implication

Without entering future food sectors:

• Thailand remains dependent on traditional food exports

• Misses high-growth, high-margin global markets

• Limited competitiveness against innovation-driven economies

• Underutilization of biological and research potential

With a strong future food strategy:

• Thailand captures new global demand in health, sustainability, and nutrition

• Moves up the value chain into high-margin industries

• Becomes a regional hub for food innovation and bioeconomy

• Strengthens long-term economic resilience and diversification

Action Layer