Thailand targets a juicy THB200 bn worth of fruit exports next year
Thailand expects 200 billion baht worth of fruit exports in 2023 after earning 1.8 billion baht in revenue so far this year from 2.82 million tonnes of fruit exports, the Department of Agriculture said.
Director-general Raphiphat Chantarasriwong said on Wednesday that China is still Thailand’s biggest market, responsible for 84.75 per cent of total fruit exports. Other markets include Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea and the United States, respectively.
“Next year, we expect China to import up to 2.39 million tonnes of fruit worth 159 billion baht, while overall fruit exports would reach 200 billion baht,” he said.
Raphiphat said that next year the department plans to apply to export more types of fruits to several countries after negotiating with foreign markets.
“We plan to apply for exports of date palm, passion fruit and salak to China; coconut husk to Saudi Arabia; lychee, longan, rambutan, dragon fruit and pomelo to the US; mango, mangosteen and pomelo to Japan, and lychee, longan and pineapple to Australia,” he said.
Raphiphat was visiting the “Asia Fruit Logistica” fair, which runs from November 2 to 4 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. The annual event has been organised for the past 15 years with participation from Thai and international agricultural authorities, fruit importers/exporters, and companies across the fruit supply chain to carry out fruit-trade negotiations. The event also helps local firms to explore new market opportunities in the Asian region.
At the fair Raphiphat met Spanish Ambassador Emilio de Miguel Calabia and American Ambassador Robert F Godec, while visiting the booths of the two countries to discuss fruit import and export opportunities as well as additional agricultural cooperation.
