Supapji revealed that despite the hacking of freezer systems in Europe, no cancellations of Thai product orders have been found. She has instructed trade ambassadors to closely monitor the situation and advised exporters to be ready for new orders once systems are restored. Discussions continue with Leipzig/Halle Airport, DHL, and exhibition centers in Germany.
10 Nov 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Supapji Suthamphan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, addressed the hacking of freezer systems in supermarkets across several European countries. She ordered the Department of International Trade Promotion to direct its offices in Europe to monitor the situation and coordinate closely with importers and buyers of Thai products. While supermarkets repair and restore the systems, some deliveries may be delayed. However, reports from the department indicate no cancellations of Thai product orders due to the incident.
“A key point to watch is that demand for frozen foods may rise once systems return to normal, as supermarkets need to replace stock damaged in the incident. This could present an export opportunity for Thailand.”
The Department of International Trade Promotion and its European offices have been continuously coordinating with partners to prepare for potential new orders after system recovery, enabling Thai exporters to adjust production and logistics accordingly, especially for frozen seafood, processed frozen chicken, and frozen fruits.
For long-term preparedness, the department has held discussions with key partners in Germany, including Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major European air cargo hub, and studied DHL’s distribution system to develop an efficient cold chain network between Thailand and Europe. Additionally, talks with Messe Berlin, a large international exhibition and conference center in Berlin, aim to increase Thai product access to European buyers through major 2027 international trade shows such as Berlin International Green Week and FRUIT LOGISTICA, expanding markets for Thai agricultural and food products.
Furthermore, Thai businesses should enhance the security of cold chain transport and storage systems, particularly by adopting technologies like IoT sensors and data loggers with cybersecurity standards. They should also consider insurance covering cyberattack damages to build long-term confidence among trading partners.
“This incident shows that in a rapidly changing trade environment, having quality products alone is insufficient. Even problems in foreign partners’ systems can impact Thai exporters. The Ministry of Commerce prioritizes timely monitoring and forward-looking analysis to understand how changes affect markets, identify risks to prepare for, and seize opportunities for Thai businesses to promptly meet market demands.”
The European Union remains a key export market for Thailand. In the first nine months (January–September) of 2026, Thai exports to the EU totaled 24.127 billion USD, growing 23.4%. Exported food products include processed chicken, processed seafood, and frozen fruits.