Thailand's National Farmers Council (NFC) has called on the government to seek ways to export fresh pineapple to China, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
NFC Chairman Praphat Panyachatrak suggested the Ministry of Commerce expand the Chinese market for Thai pineapple, especially for the "Super Sweet" MD2 hybrid, which can remain fresh for a relatively long period of time.
Praphat said the Chinese market is interested in buying the MD2 variety and prefer to consume it as fresh fruit. Thailand has produced an estimated 1.9 million tons of pineapple per year, most of which are canned for export rather than being provided as fresh fruit.
The pineapple growers had been largely concerned over possible losses due to a surplus in supply without knowing in advance an exact volume of demand from the canned pineapple producers.
source: news.xinhuanet.com