BANGKOK, August 2019 (NNT) – To help fruit farmers, following the problem of product oversupply and price slumps, the Ministry of Commerce has recently used Section 44, of the interim constitution, to engage government and private agencies in assisting them in terms of marketing to help sell the produce, including mangosteens, Lansium demesticum, rambutans, longans and other seasonal fruit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has invited 44 agencies, from both the public and private sectors, including Airports of Thailand, airlines, Thailand Post, fuel service stations, such as PTT and Bangchak, retail stores, including Big C, Tesco Lotus and CP All, fruit exporters, the Thai Restaurant Association and Thai Hotel Association, to discuss ways to help and support fruit farmers in terms of marketing.
Additional measures include the provision of distribution channels to farmers through Makro, Big C, Tops, Supermarkets, The Mall, Seven Eleven, Tesco Lotus, Super Cheap Topland from Phitsanulok, Thaweekit Supercenter, 65 must-visit markets across the country, Pracharat Blue Flag Stores, CJ, Thai Restaurant Association, Thai Hotel Association, gas stations such as PTT, Bangchak and PT and government agencies such as the Ministry of Defense, the Royal Thai Army, the Department of Corrections and hospitals.
The airlines will help farmers in terms of carrying fruit or having fruit loaded on board. While Thailand Post will provide a free delivery service for 100 tons of fruit ordered online for this season.
The ministry will accelerate the fruit export drive by offering loans with a three-percent interest rate reduction to wholesalers who wish to export fruit and apply for loans from a financial institution. It also organizes a business matching event for selling fruit. The event has been held for Chinese partners and next it will be held for Indian partners. The ministry will accelerate research and development into packaging for fruit, especially durian, to prevent odors so that passengers will be able to take them onto the plane.
