Thailand suffers 59 million USD in loss from China's sugar syrup import ban

Todsaporn Ruangpattananont, President of the Thai Sugar Product Association, said the loss to Thai companies was double the previous estimate, due to shipping and transport costs, fines at Chinese ports, and lower selling prices.

Thailand, the world’s second-largest sugar exporter, faces a suspension of syrup and premixed powder imports by China in December due to concerns about factory hygiene. (Photo: Reuters)
Thailand, the world’s second-largest sugar exporter, faces a suspension of syrup and premixed powder imports by China in December due to concerns about factory hygiene. (Photo: Reuters)

Bangkok (VNA) - Thai businesses recorded up to 2 billion THB (over 59 million USD) in losses from China's ban on sugar syrup and premixed powder exports from the Southeast Asian nation, according to the Thai Sugar Product Association.

Todsaporn Ruangpattananont, President of the Thai Sugar Product Association, said the loss to Thai companies was double the previous estimate, due to shipping and transport costs, fines at Chinese ports, and lower selling prices.

No factories are purchasing raw sugar, and operations have been halted for over two months, he said.

In December 2024, China suspended imports of sugar syrup and premixed powder from Thailand due to hygiene concerns at manufacturing plants.

Last month, Thai officials said China had asked the Southeast Asian country to inspect dozens of factories before starting negotiations to lift the ban.

About 40,000 tonnes of syrup and premixed powder shipped to Chinese ports had been returned to Thailand, said Todsaporn.

Thammasorn Nawilaijaroen, a senior executive at SMC Food Thailand and Hefty Food Thailand, which exports syrup and premixed power to China and Japan, said both his companies had been hit by losses of around 100 million baht because of the ban.

Hefty Food, which exports syrup solely to China and shipped 120,000 tonnes last year, has stopped production, he added./.

VNA

See more

Illustrative Image (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thailand extracts bio-calcium from fish waste

Researchers at Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi (Thailand) developed a method to extract calcium from discarded parts of blackchin tilapia, including heads, bones, scales and tails - materials typically treated as waste and a source of pollution.

Philippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years

Philippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years

On March 24, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency through an executive order, allowing the government to fast-track fuel procurement, make advance payments for fuel contracts, and ensure the availability of fuel and other essential goods amid rising prices.

Philippines declares energy emergency over Middle East tension (Photo: BBC)

Philippines declares energy emergency

The Philippine Government on March 24 announced an "imminent danger of a critically low energy supply" as tensions in the Middle East threaten fuel supplies and the stability of the country’s power system.

Delegates at the event (Photo: cambodia.un.org)

Cambodia accelerates access to climate-resilient water services

Funded by the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund, the Water Infrastructure & Smart Energy Joint Programme (WISE JP) introduces a pioneering financial model that combines commercial and low-interest capital - a revolving blended‑finance facility - dedicated to ensuring climate‑smart water systems.

Officials inspect the 10-wheel tanker found smuggling fuel to Myanmar in Mae Sot border district on Sunday. (Photo:bangkokpost.com)

Thailand seizes 20,000 litres of diesel bound for Myanmar

Authorities of Thailand's Tak province have ordered intensified patrols and stricter inspections to prevent fuel stockpiling and illegal cross-border exports. They also called on local residents to report any suspicious signs related to fuel hoarding or smuggling.

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

Wildfires surge to 96 hotspots in Thailand

According to the provincial forest fire and haze prevention centre, satellite data from the Suomi NPP VIIRS system recorded the hotspots at 02:13. The fires were spread across multiple districts though firefighting teams have been working around the clock to contain the blazes.

In major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, demand for pet-related services is surging. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese pet market attractive to RoK businesses

RoK pet food companies are increasingly targeting Vietnam as a key growth market, leveraging the country’s rapidly developing pet economy and rising demand for premium pet care products in Southeast Asia.

Residents refuel at a petrol station in Stung Treng province, north-eastern Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

Cambodia introduces energy-saving measures amid Middle East conflict

Despite these challenges, the government noted that Cambodia’s fuel and electricity supply remains stable, supporting economic activities and public service delivery, based on assessments conducted with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), and fuel import companies.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in a press statement at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta on March 19. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia pushes sustainable energy transition

Diesel plants remain widely used but should gradually be replaced by renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, due to their economic and environmental advantages, said an Indonesian minister.

Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, and Khampheng Douangthongla, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Laos to the United Nations in Vienna, sign the Lao Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026-2033. (Photo: IAEA)

Laos promotes use of nuclear technology to support sustainable development

Under the newly signed framework, cooperation for 2026–2033 will focus on technical and professional support in radiation and nuclear-related fields, including human resource development, enhanced radiation safety capacity, and applications across industry, energy, agriculture, nutrition, water resources, environmental protection, education, research, and international integration.