Thai exports of fruits, vegetables set to grow 10% in 2013

BANGKOK, April 7 (TNA) - Exports of frozen and dried fruits and vegetables in 2013 are projected to sustain growth of 10 per cent from last year and Thailand would earn approximately 1.56 billion U.S. dollars, said Srirat Rastapana, director-general of International Trade Promotion Department. She said during the first two months this year, the country exported 258,573 tonnes of frozen and dried fruits and vegetables valued more than 186 million U.S. dollars, up 20 per cent from the same period of 2012 which was equivalent to 0.5 per cent of Thailand’s total exports. Principal importing countries are China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan and the U.S. as their combined imports total more than 78 per cent of the total exports of the products by the kingdom. Also, exports to Australia, Pakistan and the Netherlands increased sharply by 65, 130 and 138 per cent respectively. However, the Department is now worried over exports of unripen durians by some middlemen and growers which have tarnished the country’s image. Their practice is aimed at bringing up prices of durians when they come out in the market during the season. Thailand exported fresh and frozen durians worth 201 million U.S. dollars last year, up 29 per cent from the previous year, with earnings ranked second only to longan. The country earned 21 million U.S. dollars from exports of fresh and frozen durians during the first two months this year. (TNA)