December 30, 2024 | The Nation |
Thailand's fruit exports, particularly to China, are expected to face increased challenges due to rising competition, according to Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang. In the first 10 months of 2023, Thailand exported 1.74 million tons of fruits, with a 31.9% YoY increase in export value, reaching $5.06 billion. The top five exported fruits included durians, longan, mangosteen, mango, and pineapple. China accounted for 91.6% of Thai fruit export value, with Vietnam making significant inroads into the durian market. Thailand's share of China's durian market dropped to 70%, with Vietnam capturing 30%. Vietnam's advantage lies in a longer harvest period, enabling it to meet Chinese demand when Thailand is not in the production season. The Philippines, Malaysia, and even China's domestic cultivation pose additional challenges to Thailand's fruit exports. The Deputy Commerce Minister emphasized the need for Thailand to explore new potential markets while maintaining its market share in China. The General Administration of Customs China has approved Thailand to export 22 fruits to the Chinese market.