BANGKOK, April 19 (TNA) – Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach has ordered a study on local and global demand for durian to set cultivation quotas to prevent a plunge in prices.
The minister quoted the Office of Agricultural Economics as reporting that the areas of durian, mangosteen, rambutan and long kong orchards covered 691,521 rai, up 1.96% from last year.
Durian orchards grew 4.57% and rambutan orchards rose 0.46% while mangosteen orchards fell 0.15% and long kong orchards shrank 3.45%. The office predicted higher yields of the fruits thanks to weather conditions.
Mr Grisada also said that durian yields in the East increased by 20.49% as durian prices at orchards were as high as about 100 baht per kilogram. Farmers were expanding durian orchards nationwide and new durian trees would bear fruits in 4-5 years.
The minister said that he ordered subordinates to study local and international demand for durian because he did not want the fruit to face a plunge in prices like natural rubber that had expanded from the South to the rest of the country.
“Based on market demands, suitable yields of durian will be calculated and cultivation quotas can be set. Then other economic plants will be promoted,” Mr Grisada said.
He also said that authorities were encouraging farmers to produce quality durian and refrain from selling young durian fruits. Besides, officials suggested the farmers turn to e-commerce and direct sales with consumers to ensure good durian prices. (TNA)
