Nam dok mai mango finally finds its way to US shelves
Dr Suvit Maesincee, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (NIMT), said this week that Thailand had finally been able to export the gold-hued Nam Dok Mai mango to the US after 12 years of trying. Ripened mangoes had long faced export problems due to the different import regulations imposed by various countries to prevent disease and keep out insects.
Since 2007, the US Agriculture Ministry has only allowed in mangoes that passed the gamma radiation test.
To solve the problem, the National Research Office, the Office of Economic Development, Naresuan University and the National Institute of Nuclear Technology have worked together on research following Boston Consulting Group model (BCG) by monitoring the mango, both pre-radiated and after the radiation process, until it achieved US standards. Many mangoes treated with this process have been shipped to US stores since September.
Several start-ups working in collaboration with 7 universities in Thailand’s north, including Recute, a recycled garbage system company, NU Bio Bag, a bio-plastic bag maker, and TRIBES, distributor of tea and coffee products from hilltribe minorities in Chiang Rai, Suvit added.
