Commerce Ministry Ramps Up Fresh Fruit Export Drive Targeting 180 Billion Baht with 5% Growth
Thailand's Commerce Ministry is launching a major push to boost fresh fruit exports to 180 billion baht this year, with intensified promotional campaigns in China, South Korea, India, and other key markets during peak harvest season in Marc
The Commerce Ministry is intensifying promotional activities to boost fresh fruit exports to 180 billion baht with a 5% increase. Deputy Commerce Ministry spokesperson Prakul Kodamrong revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sutharaphant has ordered accelerated fruit consumption campaigns both domestically and internationally, particularly during March-May 2025 when domestic fruit supply peaks.
The ministry previously conducted a fruit business matching event in March that generated 3.12 billion baht in purchase orders and has been negotiating with border authorities in Laos, Vietnam, and China to facilitate logistics. Commercial attachés in China have arranged durian purchases of 1-1.1 million tons this year, while the ministry is pushing mangosteen exports of 150,000 tons through Thai trade missions in Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, India, UAE, and Australia.
In China, the primary export market for fresh durian, the ministry has organized promotional sales in multiple cities including Guangzhou and is promoting Thai fruit in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province in partnership with local agriculture authorities, Pagoda Company, CP Company, and Miniso, generating 218 million baht in value. In Kunming, collaboration with Thai SELECT restaurants and Tongde Department Store resulted in approximately 200,000 yuan (nearly 1 million baht) in durian sales during the event. The ministry is also preparing to expand into western Chinese markets like Chengdu.
Meanwhile, the ministry is accelerating expansion into South Korea, Thailand's third-largest fruit import market, through 13 Hyundai department store branches nationwide along with online sales channels, projecting 30 million baht in purchase orders. A Mumbai event showcasing Thai vegetables and fruit with demonstrations and sampling is expected to generate 359 million baht in orders within one year.
Kodamrong stated that the ministry will boost awareness in unfamiliar markets including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the European Union, and Central Asia through participation in five trade shows in China and FOODEX JAPAN.
"In the first three months of this year (January-March), Thailand exported 305,673 tons of fresh fruit worth 22.285 billion baht, an increase of 56.24%," he noted. "We are targeting a 5% expansion in fresh fruit exports this year, bringing total export value to 179 billion baht."
