Food manufacturing output across seven major ASEAN countries was compared using value-added data from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Indonesia ranks 4th globally (approx. USD 49.3 billion), while Thailand ranks 14th (approx. USD 26.7 billion).
Background
"How large is Thailand's food manufacturing sector?"
"Is Indonesia or Vietnam bigger in food production?"
These are questions frequently asked by food manufacturers considering expansion into Southeast Asia.
This article provides an objective comparison based on United Nations statistical data.
ASEAN Food Manufacturing Value-Added Ranking
Indonesia is the largest food manufacturer in ASEAN and 4th globally. Thailand ranks 14th at approximately USD 26.7 billion. Vietnam is growing rapidly.
| Rank | Country | Food Manufacturing VA (USD bn) | Share of Manufacturing | Data Year | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | 49.3 | 22.9% | 2021 | 4th |
| 2 | Thailand | 26.7 | 16.2% | 2021 | 14th |
| 3 | Vietnam | 11.8 | 10.7% | 2023 | 23rd |
| 4 | Malaysia | 8.1 | 11.0% | 2020 | 26th |
| 5 | Philippines | 6.7 | 21.4% | 2022 | 30th |
| 6 | Singapore | 2.3 | — | 2023 | 44th |
| 7 | Laos | 0.2 | — | 2015 | — |
Cambodia and Myanmar have not reported data to UNIDO.
Global Top 10 Comparison
Japan ranks 2nd globally (USD 77.8 billion). Indonesia, the top ASEAN country, is approximately 63% the size of Japan's food manufacturing sector.
| Rank | Country | Food Manufacturing VA (USD bn) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 340.3 |
| 2 | Japan | 77.8 |
| 3 | Germany | 51.0 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 49.3 |
| 5 | Brazil | 46.8 |
| 6 | France | 42.8 |
| 7 | Canada | 37.6 |
| 8 | Iran | 36.9 |
| 9 | United Kingdom | 33.6 |
| 10 | Mexico | 32.9 |
China does not report data to UNIDO. Based on China's National Bureau of Statistics data, China is estimated to rank 2nd or 3rd globally (approx. USD 530 billion).
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How to Read These Numbers
"Value added" is production output minus raw material costs. It represents the net economic value generated by each country's food manufacturing industry.
Indonesia ranks 4th globally due to domestic consumption by its 270-million population, combined with massive palm oil and seafood processing exports.
Thailand, with a population of 70 million, hosts export-oriented food giants such as CP Foods (the world's largest chicken exporter) and Thai Union (the world's largest canned tuna producer).
The Philippines has a smaller absolute figure, but 21.4% of its manufacturing is food — an exceptionally high dependency.
Vietnam recorded USD 11.8 billion in 2023 data. Growth has been remarkable; it may have already surpassed Malaysia by 2025.
Data Limitations
UNIDO data is based on each country's self-reporting, resulting in varying data years (2020–2023 mixed).
China uses its own industrial classification (GB/T) instead of ISIC, and does not submit ISIC-classified data to UNIDO.
Cambodia and Myanmar have not yet developed sufficient statistical infrastructure to report.
India's figure (16th globally, approx. USD 20 billion) likely understates the actual scale, as micro-enterprises and unorganized sectors are difficult to capture in official statistics.
Sources
Data Source:
- UNIDO INDSTAT Rev.4 Database https://stat.unido.org/data/table
- UNIDO INDSTAT Overview https://stat.unido.org/database/INDSTAT%202%20ISIC%20Revision%204
- China National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Annual Data https://data.stats.gov.cn/easyquery.htm?cn=C01
- International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC Rev.4) https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/isic
Country-Specific References:
- Thailand Food Processing Industry - BOI https://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=business_opportunities_detail&topic_id=1
- Indonesia Food Industry Overview - BKPM https://www.bkpm.go.id
- CP Foods (Charoen Pokphand Foods) IR https://www.cpfworldwide.com/en/investor
- Thai Union Group IR https://investor.thaiunion.com
- Vietnam General Statistics Office (GSO) https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/homepage/
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) https://psa.gov.ph
- Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) https://www.dosm.gov.my
- Japan Food Manufacturing Statistics - METI https://www.meti.go.jp/statistics/tyo/kougyo/
Industry Classification:
- ISIC Rev.4 Division 10: Manufacture of food products https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Structure
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