The market for Thai mangoes continues to grow every year. According to Ms. Soonthorn, Export Manager at Blue River Limited, “We offer the Nam Dok Mai variety which is very popular worldwide, as it is a super sweet mango, and also the Mahachanok, whose season starts by late April. We mainly supply these two varieties, with the campaign kicking off in early February and continuing up until mid-June.”When it comes to prices, Ms Soonthorn assures that “They will be high, as usual, for the NDM, although the Mahachanok may be slightly cheaper, as it will be harvested during the peak of the mango season. In any case, NDM prices tend to remain stable, as demand also remains high.”
This season, Blue River Limited expects to ship 200 tonnes via air freight to all destinations, with 8-10 flights per week at present. Ms Soonthorn affirms that “we do not work much with the domestic market, where we supply only organic mangoes, of which we may distribute approximately 30 tonnes to local supermarkets this year.”
Overall, she assures that organic demand is increasing in Thailand for all sectors. “At supermarkets, they are usually purchased by high-end consumers, but on other sectors, such as specialty/local stores, consumption is also growing. Our domestic sales on both organic fruits and vegetables are expected to grow by more than 30% this year.”
As for the international market, Ms Soonthorn affirms that an increase in demand for Thai mangoes can be observed in all destinations, despite its expensive price due to air freight costs. “The main reason for this is its sweetness and aroma; consumers are willing to pay for it because no other mango in the market is as sweet and aromatic as this. We always harvest our mangoes ripe on the tree, which ensures the best taste for the end consumer.”
The company will also start exporting Fairtrade mangoes this year, from week 15 or 16 onwards. “The key for us is to guarantee a minimum price and ensure that growers receive a fair pay and also have the chance to develop their social environment. This is the sustainable agriculture that we are aiming for,” concludes Ms Soonthorn.
For more information:
Soonthorn
Blue River Limited, Thailand