State ramps up Mideast fruit exports

The government looks set to ramp up fruit exports to the Middle East this year and is speeding up talks with its Chinese counterpart to help facilitate fruit exports after China’s zero-Covid policy has taken a heavy toll on Thai fruit exports, especially durian.

According to Rachada Dhnadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, the government through the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is aiming this year to expand fruit shipments to Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates where there is high demand for Thai fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, longan, mango and durian.

She said Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on last week negotiated with the UAE to increase the export of farm products and food, aiming to raise about 10 billion baht in value this year, up 4.6% from last year.

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