Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

The Thai Organic Trade Association (TOTA), based in Bangkok, Thailand, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, developing, and supporting the organic agriculture industry in Thailand. Serving as a bridge between Thai organic producers and global markets, TOTA plays a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and credibility of Thailand’s organic movement on the international stage.

History and Core Mission

Established with the goal of uniting stakeholders in Thailand’s organic value chain, the Thai Organic Trade Association brings together farmers, processors, exporters, retailers, and certifiers under one umbrella. Its mission is to support the growth of Thailand's organic sector through capacity building, advocacy, certification assistance, and market development both domestically and abroad.

TOTA actively collaborates with government agencies such as the Ministry of Commerce, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), and international partners like IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) to build strong institutional frameworks for organic agriculture in Thailand.

Services and Activities

As a trade association, TOTA does not produce or sell products but offers a wide range of services that support the organic ecosystem:

• Member Networking:

  • Facilitates connections between farmers, exporters, research institutes, and buyers
  • Organizes forums and roundtable discussions to foster collaboration

• Capacity Building and Training:

  • Conducts regular workshops on organic certification (EU, USDA, IFOAM, etc.)
  • Provides technical training on soil health, sustainable farming practices, and organic pest management

• Certification and Compliance Support:

  • Assists members in navigating organic standards and audit preparation
  • Supports third-party certification partnerships with accredited bodies

• Market Development and Promotion:

  • Organizes trade show participation (e.g., BIOFACH, THAIFEX – Anuga Asia)
  • Publishes directories of Thai organic suppliers
  • Coordinates B2B matchmaking with international buyers

• Policy Advocacy:

  • Advocates for organic-friendly policies at the national and ASEAN levels
  • Promotes alignment of Thai regulations with international organic standards

Specialization and Core USP

TOTA’s primary value lies in its ability to aggregate and amplify the efforts of Thailand’s fragmented organic stakeholders. Its credibility, derived from deep collaboration with both government and international NGOs, ensures that its initiatives are widely respected and supported.

Key unique selling propositions:

• Thailand’s only dedicated organic trade association with a national scope
• Strong credibility with local producers and international certifiers
• In-depth knowledge of global organic market trends
• Track record of building export pipelines for small-scale Thai organic farmers

Sector Impact and Reach

As per industry reports and government collaboration records:

• TOTA has supported the certification of over 150 organic farms and processors in Thailand
• Helped increase the volume of organic agricultural exports by over 30% between 2018 and 2022
• Participated in more than 25 international organic trade shows, connecting Thai suppliers with global buyers
• Works with a member base of over 80 organizations, including cooperatives, SMEs, and exporters

These efforts have contributed to Thailand’s emergence as one of Southeast Asia’s leading exporters of organic rice, coconut products, herbal teas, and tropical fruits.

Target Audience

TOTA primarily supports:

• Organic farmers and cooperatives
• Food manufacturers and exporters
• Certification bodies and sustainability consultants
• International importers and retail chains seeking certified Thai organic products
• Policy-makers and NGOs focused on sustainable agriculture

Capabilities

TOTA’s capabilities include:

• Training facilitation and certification audit prep
• Market intelligence and export readiness programs
• Trade show coordination and brand promotion
• Advocacy and policy advisory roles for national organic legislation

These services are supported by a multilingual team and partnerships with academic institutions, NGOs, and government ministries.

Certifications and Compliance

While TOTA itself is not a certifying body, it works closely with:

• IFOAM-accredited agencies
• USDA Organic and EU Organic standard certification bodies
• Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand (ACT)

It ensures that its member organizations are aligned with global standards and helps them obtain and maintain required certifications for export.

Member Testimonials

TOTA’s members frequently highlight its instrumental role in simplifying complex compliance processes and opening new market channels. Several success stories have emerged from its member programs, including smallholder cooperatives that gained direct export access to European buyers after participating in TOTA-led training and trade missions.

Major Achievements

• Co-organized Thailand’s presence at BIOFACH Germany, the world’s largest organic trade fair
• Published the Thai Organic Exporter Directory, widely used by overseas buyers
• Spearheaded the Thai Organic Export Boost Program with the Ministry of Commerce
• Developed partnerships with global NGOs to fund sustainable farming pilot projects
• Recognized by ASEAN as a model for organic trade association development

With its comprehensive support ecosystem, international recognition, and impactful programs, the Thai Organic Trade Association continues to play a transformative role in elevating Thailand’s organic agriculture industry and positioning it as a competitive player in the global organic market.