Longevity packaging market driven by rising food export demand in Q1 Eka Global plans new product to address this trend

The plan follows the increasing global food packaging trend, which showed very positive signs in Q1/2025. Consumers worldwide are seeking more eco-friendly and bioplastic packaging, both for ready-to-eat meals and pet foods. AI will also play a more important role in transforming the global food and packaging industry with exciting innovations. This trend has also driven Thai food export volumes to reach new record-high sales.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the National Food Institute forecast that Thai food exports will reach 1.75 trillion baht this year, an increase of 6.8% from 1.63 trillion baht in 2024. The top two export categories with the highest growth rates are pet food, which is expected to grow by 30.5% due to the expanding pet parenting trend worldwide, and the ready-to-eat meals segment, which is expected to grow by 30.2% as consumers seek food products that fit their lifestyles and financial needs during a sluggish economy and rising cost of living.

"Thailand is one of the world's major producers and exporters. The food industry currently contributes 24.6% to Thailand's GDP. Ready-to-eat meals and premium pet food products remain the rising stars this year, driving the rapid growth of the food packaging segment," Chaiwat stated.

In 2025, sustainability becomes a top concern in the industry. All types of packaging must be sustainable, convenient, and innovative in order to increase consumer confidence and address the changing behaviors and needs of consumers who drive global mega-trends, such as eco-friendly and sustainable packaging.

Consumers today are looking for packaging that helps reduce waste and plastic waste, increases recycling, and has biodegradable properties, such as biodegradable plastics. Although the price of bioplastics remains high, consumers seem willing to pay for them.

Another crucial trend is the digital transformation in the food and packaging industries. AI is becoming increasingly important in transforming the food industry as it integrates into every production process, new product design and development, raw material sourcing, quality control, and more.

Chaiwat added that 2025 will be an exciting year for Eka Global, where innovation and AI technology will play a crucial role in transforming and digitalizing the company. Innovation and new technology will be integrated into every part of production and business operations, including new product development and production. AI will be implemented more concretely this year. Meanwhile, product research and development will continue to better meet consumers' changing needs in terms of food safety, health, taste, sustainability, etc.

"Eka Global has been studying AI for 7-8 months as we recognize the importance and benefits of the technology. We must be ready and lead the industry to stay ahead of the game as the trade and technology wars become more intense. For example, technological developments in China will put significant pressure on Thai business operators in the future, and we need to be prepared for it," said Chaiwat.

This year, Eka Global has set its sales target at 1.4 billion baht, driven by growth in both domestic and international operations. Its India operation is expected to see 30-40% expansion thanks to full-year income recognition from the new production facility in Pune. The company has also received high advanced booking orders that nearly fill its combined production capacity of 2.85 billion pieces in Thailand and India. Eka Global is now working closely with its customers to study and develop new premium pet food packaging products, with plans to officially launch and produce the new products this year.