Thailand
Thailand: Potential remains ripe for fruit exports
Despite the Covid-19 outbreaks, Thailand’s fresh fruit export prospects remain promising this year as the appetite worldwide for Thai fruit is strong, particularly in China, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
According to Somdet Susomboon, director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, the agency expects fresh fruit shipments to grow by 17% this year to 122 billion baht.
China is expected to retain the top spot as the leading export market for Thai fresh fruit, accounting for 70%, followed by Vietnam (12%), Hong Kong (10%) and others (8%).
Mr Somdet said the department is promoting fresh fruit exports in line with the “Agriculture [Ministry] and Commerce [Ministry] markets” policy. This is a marketing-led production strategy exploring international markets through the country’s commercial affairs officials and directors of Thai Trade Centers abroad.
The department also organises fruit export stimulus projects and activities throughout the year.
The activities include online business matching for fresh and processed fruit exporters and foreign importers, as well as “Thai Fruit Golden Months” — Thai fruit fairs held in key provinces in China.
In addition, the department teamed up with the Durian and Mangosteen Exporter Association, the Modern Age Fruit Trade Association, the Thai Durian Association and a group of fruit exporters in eastern Thailand to promote preventive measures against Covid-19 from upstream to downstream.
In a related development, commerce permanent secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit on Friday witnessed the signing ceremony of the memorandum of purchasing (MoP) between Thai fruit exporters and Hong Kong importers for a combined 2,200 tonnes of mangoes worth 100 million baht.
Mr Boonyarit said the MoP follows an online business matching activity held by the Commerce Ministry earlier this year. The online business matching helps increase export opportunities for Thai mango growers and expands their distribution and export channels.
He said qualified farmers have the chance to learn about upgrading their production to meet international standards and market requirements, enabling them to earn more income.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2116787/potential-remains-ripe-for-fruit-exports