Despite a contraction of 1.9% last year, the National Food Institute (NFI) expects food exports this year will grow by 5.8%.
The optimism is based largely on rising demand for some food segments in neighbouring emerging markets and government efforts to boost exports.
NFI president Yongvut Saovapruk attributed last year's 1.9% decline to the poor global economy, declining oil prices and the appreciation of the US dollar.
As a result, Thai food exports in 2015 were worth 897 billion baht.
"No one should panic over this," Mr Yongvut said. "We also saw greater contractions by other major food-exporting countries."
The NFI forecasts strong growth in exports of chicken, canned tuna, shrimp, condiments and canned pineapple.
Moreover, new food products such as fresh fruits, energy drinks, juice, milk, coconut milk and snacks are tipped for high growth as well.
Food export growth will be driven by government policies to penetrate new markets, increased investment in the food sector and growing demand in emerging Asean economies.
"We've seen a significant rise in our exports and rising market share in Asean members over the past 10 years," Mr Yongvut said.
"This will continue to be our focus in the future too."
Asean remains the major market for Thai food with 25.8% of total exports.
This is followed by Japan (14%), the US (11.3%), the EU (10.6%), Africa (9.8%) and China (8.6%).
Factors threatening to disrupt exports this year include the persistent drought, the sluggish global economy and low prices for farm products and oil.
Mr Yongvut said Thailand ranked 14th as a global food exporter.
The NFI has set a goal for the country to reach 10th place and increase annual export value to 2 trillion baht.
To achieve this goal, Thailand must produce more high-value products such as functional food and medical food.
Such products account for just 7% of Thai food exports.
For fiscal 2017, the NFI has requested 300-500 million baht to build food-processing factories in all regions of the country.