Thailand is campaigning to elevate the fruit trade in the nation’s east as the tropical fruit hub of Asia. Boonyarit Kalayanamit, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Commerce, said the campaign is expected to promote fruit produce in the Eastern region to the rest of the nation and the world. The initiative would also stimulate local consumption and demand while reducing reliance on exports.
According to Boonyarit, Thai agriculturalists offer 57 different types of fruits, contributing 45 billion baht in annual exports. 80% of these fruits are durian, longan and mangosteen, shipped to major export partners China and Vietnam, with most of the remaining products sold locally.
The Eastern region should see 1.14 million tons of combined volume for durian, mangosteen, rambutan and longan in Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat. The figure represents an increase of 27% from last year’s 900,000 tons, with the three provinces considered the key fruit producers of the region.
Source: pattayamail.com