WITH RISING global concerns about health and ageing societies, the Commerce Ministry has decided to promote Thai herbs internationally with the aim of increasing farmers’ income.

Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said that as the government had a policy to boost farmers’ earnings, Thai herbs would be a new star product that the government would encourage them to grow.

She said the crop also supported the value-added push as many countries now had high demand for herbs to serve their health consciousness markets and ageing societies.

“Thai herbs can be an economic crop and replace many commodities crops such as rice, cassava or rubber. Prices for herbs are getting higher and could add value in many channels. Farmers could grow more herbs out of the harvest season for commodities, so they will have sustainable income,” she said.

Herbs in high demand include garlic, ginger, galingale, lemon grass, phlai, kaffir lime leaf, pueraria minifica, aloe vera, and garcinir. 

These products are in high demand as both fresh products and for processing for cosmetics, supplements and medicines, massage oils, aromas, soaps, shampoos, and teas.

To promote more exports of Thai herbs, the ministry has assigned Thai trade officials overseas to study the rules and import regulations of targeted countries, as well as the market demand of those countries so the products can penetrate those markets.

The targeted countries are mainly in Asia, chiefly China including Hong Kong, while exports to Japan, the US, and the EU may face stringent rules. 

For instance, the Hong Kong market has a high demand for butterfly pea as they are high in nutrition – nourishing hair and promoting blood circulation – while they are also full of antioxidants.

According to the ministry, Thailand exports herbs worth Bt500 million a year, and exports herb extracts worth Bt270 million. And if exports of cosmetic and healthcare products that use herbs is included, the export value is more than Bt71 billion a year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/EconomyAndTourism/30304182