Chinese fruit screening practice kept under close monitoring

[rooster59]

Chinese fruit screening practice kept under close monitoring

BANGKOK: Thai internal trade officials yesterday conducted inspection trips to the country's two largest vegetable and fruit markets to probe into complaints by Thai traders that the entry of Chinese packaging and screening operation known as "Longh" has spoilt the market system and caused several major fruit prices to shoot up over 100%.

They suspected the entry of these Chinese fruit traders in the form of joint venture with Thai investors in the local fruit industry might be illegitimate.

The complaints prompted internal trade chief, Mrs Wibunlak Ruamrak, to lead a team to Talad Si Moom Mueng, one of the largest vegetable and fruit markets, on the outskirts of Bangkok to probe.

However none of the Chinese operation was found to be illegal.

Instead most local fruit traders viewed that foreign traders who have joined forces with local businesses as “Longh” and were operating legally was a good development for local farmers as their earnings will be higher from the increased demand placed by Chinese traders.

Mrs Wibunlak said officials have checked all these ‘Longhs’ owned by Chinese businessmen and found they have all proper documentation which Chinese passports, work permits and business visas.

This means that if they qualify, they are permitted to stay in the country for several years, she said.

She admitted however that Chinese Longhs are the main concerns for local traders who have asked internal trade officials to make a thorough check to make sure that these Chinese possess the required documentation.

Inspection was also made at Talad Thai market where no illegal operation was found.

The market manager Mr Thawatchai Pitaktanangkun later assured the probe team that the market has a proper system in place to manage everything which includes official requirements as well as the tenants here in the market.

He said most of the traders here are locals and he had to look after them all.

But he admitted that the trend will be that more and more foreign traders will become involved here with the launch of the Asian Economic Community, thus prompting his market to get readiness for competition.

He recalled that an earlier probe was carried out at the Talad Thai market when reports were received that a number of Chinese ‘Longhs’ or fruit traders were illegally doing business here.

But it was found that most of these traders had not legally registered their businesses.

Only 15 of these Chinese operated businesses were legally registered. Talad Thai market is the largest fruit market in the country and on average 1 million tons of fruit produce is traded every year.

In all, he said, 3,500 ‘Longhs’ – both local and foreign – are in operation here.

The Ministry of Commerce is now coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to check on all ‘Longhs’ operating in the country to make sure that they are all legally registered.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/163302

-- Thai PBS 2016-05-14

[ChrisY1]

Ahhhh......nothing can upset some Thais when there's competition happening

[worgeordie]

You cannot blame the Chinese for doing strict inspections

on fruit and vegetables,as i suspect if the Thais were packing

they could not resist ,putting all the 2 nd grade on the bottom,

the good stuff on the top.

regards worgeordie

[chainarong]

This is the end result of Prayut - O - Cha continuing close friendship with China , the Chinese are renowned for this sort of sportsmanship and if you want to travel back to when the Papua New Guineans villagers burnt down Chinese business because they were unlawful or being kicked out of countries from interfering in local issues or undermining governments , one thing is certain , they will undermine the Thai trader whenever they can see an opportunity , till the government has to step in a protect their own nationals, as in life, countries need to be careful who they choose as friends also, perhaps China should be just an acquaintance. .

[GAZZPA]

Ahhhh......nothing can upset some Thais when there's competition happening

Too true, the complacency years are over.

If they are not careful I can see many industries coming under serious pressure from well organised and professional traders from overseas. And if legitimate there will be nothing anyone can do expect up their game and compete.

There are so many shoddy operations, filthy dirty, poor choice and often someone sitting back manning the shop / stall on a lounger without a care in the world. The market is ripe for picking (excuse the pun) for some clued up business person.