BANGKOK, Aug 10 (TNA) – Eight tropical fruits grown in southern region have been selected as Geographical Indication (GI) fruits and upgraded or exports to four Asian countries, said the chief of Department of Agricultural Extension.
The Department’s Director-General, Samran Sarabun said ‘Siam Ruby’ pomelo, durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longkong, salak, cempedak and mango, which are widely grown in 14 southern provinces are now by the government in production and certification processes for exports to China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
For example, more growers have switched to grow ‘Siam Ruby’ pomelo in Nakhon Si Thammarat province’s Pak Phanang district because of its handsome prices while there is high demand both in domestic and overseas markets, said Samran.
Serm Kaeduang, head of ‘Siam Ruby’ pomelo mega farm project in Pak Phanang district, said that he has grown the fruit more than three decades because of its attractive prices.
However, over 100 ‘Siam Ruby’ pomelo trees were damaged early this year due to a tropical storm, he said.
Favourable weather later this year has helped him to sell more than 15,000 pomelos at the cost of 180 baht each, assisting him to earn more than 1.2 million baht.
He said proudly that he could pick the fruit twice a year. (TNA)
