BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) — Free trade agreements (FTAs) have made Thailand the world’s 6th biggest exporter of fruits, according to the Commerce Ministry.
Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the ministry’s Department of Trade Negotiations, said that despite the reduction in global fruit exports, Thai fruit exports were growing steadily because consumers were more interested in healthy nutrition and free trade agreements offered tariff reduction and exemption to Thai fruits.
According to her, free trade agreements result in China, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru and Hong Kong waiving their tariffs on chilled, frozen and dry fruits from Thailand. Other free trade partners including Japan have either waived or reduced tariffs on most Thai fruit products.
In the first ten months of this year, Thailand became the sixth biggest fruit exporter, up from the 10th position last year. Now Thailand follows Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico, the United States and Chile.
Its fruit exports during the January-October period were valued at US$3.21 billion, up by 41% year-on-year.
Main markets are Southeast Asian nations and China. Fruit exports to ASEAN and China were estimated at US$2.69 billion and formed 84% of all Thai fruit exports during the first ten months of 2019.
Popular Thai fruits include durian, mangosteen and longan. Thailand is the biggest exporter of these tropical fruits. (TNA)
