Thailand–South Africa Business Matchmaking Forum creates new trade opportunities

Supported by Department of International Trade Promotion in Thailand and Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria, the forum connected export-ready Thai manufacturers with South African importers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers, hospitality groups and procurement decision-makers through a structured programme of pre-arranged, one-on-one business meetings.

Strong business engagement

The forum generated:

• 252 pre-arranged B2B meetings
  
• 37 South African buyers and business representatives
  
• 12 participating Thai companies
  

Each meeting was tailored according to the buyers’ product interests, purchasing requirements and business capabilities, ensuring relevant discussions between the Thai exporters and South African companies.

The structured 15-minute meeting format enabled participants to engage with multiple potential partners during a single business programme.

Thai products showcased to the South African market

The participating Thai companies presented a diverse range of products suited to South African retail, wholesale, hospitality, food-service and distribution markets.

Products showcased included:

• Thai sauces, marinades, curry pastes and seasonings
  
• Chilli sauces and traditional Thai condiments
  
• Coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut-based products
  
• Rice, noodles and convenient meal solutions
  
• Ready-to-eat and packaged food products
  
• Snacks, confectionery and speciality foods
  
• Beverages products
  
• Natural, health-conscious and wellness-focused products
  
• Frozen food

The meetings gave South African buyers the opportunity to evaluate products, inspect samples and discuss pricing, minimum order quantities, packaging, certifications, exclusivity and local market requirements directly with the manufacturers.

Several buyers expressed interest in continued discussions, product testing, sample evaluation and potential supply arrangements.

For the Thai companies, it offered valuable insight into South African consumer demand, retail requirements, importing processes, packaging preferences and potential routes to market.

H.E. Mr. Ekapol Poolpipat, Ambassador of Thailand to South Africa, highlighted the strong complementarity between the two countries’ agricultural and food sectors. Thailand’s strengths in tropical agriculture, food processing, innovation and international standards complement South Africa’s strong agricultural base, creating opportunities for cooperation in trade, distribution, food processing, technology and investment.

He noted that South Africa offers Thai companies not only a sophisticated domestic market but also a strategic platform for reaching the wider African market, while Thailand can serve as a gateway for South African businesses to Southeast Asia.

The Ambassador encouraged participating companies to look beyond individual products and use the forum to build long-term commercial partnerships, stressing that the ultimate objective was to translate business discussions into “new orders, new partnerships and new opportunities” for both countries.

Mrs.Wichuda Akaramethathip, Director of Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, stated “Thank you the Thai exporters and the buyers from South Africa for participating in today’s event. This forum created a valuable foundation for continued trade between Thailand and South Africa. In the future, should South African importers wish to import Thai products, please contact Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria.

Event results at a glance

Event: Thailand–South Africa Business Matchmaking Forum
Date: 13 August 2026
Venue: Southern Sun Sandton, Johannesburg
Thai companies: 12 Companies
South African buyers: 37
B2B meetings: 252

The Thailand–South Africa Business Matchmaking Forum was supported by Department of International Trade Promotion in Thailand and Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria