Commerce Ministry backs domestic sales of fruit to offset China export blockage

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry backs domestic sales of fruit to offset China export blockage

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has prepared measures to support the sale of fruit in Thailand, after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation cut exports to China. The ministry has also called on oil palm farmers to be confident the price of their produce will not fall further after dropping from seven baht a kilogram to just above the state guarantee price of four baht, at a current five baht.

 

The Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), Whichai Phochanakij, says that while oil palm fruit is near its marketable period between March and June, demand is still growing due to state measures, such as using the produce in B10 diesel production. From March 1, B10 diesel will be available at all service stations, raising usage of oil palm fruit this year to two million tons, or two-thirds of the national production. With imports of the crop restricted to Khlong Toei Port, and meters being installed to monitor stocks more efficiently, Mr. Wichai voiced confidence the price of oil palm fruit will be maintained.

 

The DIT chief noted state stocks are actually below their 300,000-ton requirement with only 230,000 tons held in government silos, following palm oil use in fuel production. After a replenishment of stocks, he said the price of oil palm fruit won’t dip below five baht per kilogram.

 

As for fruit sales being affected by the COVID-19 situation, it was indicated that measures have been prepared to offset the impact such as a reduction in tourist numbers from China who would usually buy up durian. The Ministry of Commerce will turn its focus to domestic sales and has begun coordinating with airlines to feature Thai fruit in-flight, and with retailers to organize fruit fairs set to start in the North in March.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2020-03-02

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[Justgrazing]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Commerce Ministry backs domestic sales of fruit to offset China export blockage

as alternative markets for a fruit with an odour variously described as smelling like pig-sh*t with a whiff of turpentine , onions and week old gym sock are not easily found at this time .. 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

. The Ministry of Commerce will turn its focus to domestic sales and has begun coordinating with airlines to feature Thai fruit in-flight

I'll boycott mine if they start doing that sort of thing .. 

[ukrules]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation cut exports to China.

More information needed here. Why has China stopped buying fruit from Thailand, I don't get it.

 

[legend49]

Where are the locals going to get the money to buy Durian. I have seen this fruit explode in price rises its so expensive now people just walk past the sellers.

[Tim207]

3 hours ago, ukrules said:

More information needed here. Why has China stopped buying fruit from Thailand, I don't get it.

 

I think it is self evident that with half of china not working, luxury foods will not be in high demand. It make me laugh that with air travel being slashed, this guy is saying that selling to airlines will make up the difference. Get ready to eat a lot of fruit, it is going to be cheap. 

[Krataiboy]

3 hours ago, legend49 said:

Where are the locals going to get the money to buy Durian. I have seen this fruit explode in price rises its so expensive now people just walk past the sellers.

My missus says prices have almost doubled since the durian-loving Chinese started buying up Thai crops. Expect the same thing to happen to lots of other produce.

[Assurancetourix]

7 hours ago, ukrules said:

More information needed here. Why has China stopped buying fruit from Thailand, I don't get it.

 

I think it's because all the road logistics is stopped;
the fruit will arrive in China and will rot there because there are no more truck drivers available.

[fruitman]

8 hours ago, legend49 said:

Where are the locals going to get the money to buy Durian. I have seen this fruit explode in price rises its so expensive now people just walk past the sellers.

Because the season hasn't started yet, soon it will in april and i hope the price is low this year so we all can enjoy them ourselves instead of the chinese.

[Tayaout]

5 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

My missus says prices have almost doubled since the durian-loving Chinese started buying up Thai crops. Expect the same thing to happen to lots of other produce.

Probably not forever. Now that it's expensive many more trees are being planted and the Chinese are also developing their own variety that can grow in China. The price may plummet in the future like it often do with "profitable" crop. 

[Isaan sailor]

China this, China that.  When will they realise China cannot and will not save the economy?