Thai exports of frozen, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables are projected to grow 10% this year and earn approximately $1.56 billion, according to Srirat Rastapana, director-general of International Trade Promotion Department.
Srirat said during the first two months this year, the country exported 258,573 tons of frozen and dried fruits and vegetables valued more than $186 million, up 20% from the same period of 2012 which was equivalent to 0.5% of Thailand's total exports.
Main importing countries are China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan and the United States as their combined imports total more than 78% of the total, Srirat reported. But exports to Australia, Pakistan and the Netherlands increased sharply by 65%, 130% and 138% respectively.
However, she said, the Department is now worried over exports of unripe durians by some middlemen and growers that have tarnished the country's image. Their practice is aimed at bringing up prices of durians when they come out in the market during the season. Thailand exported fresh and frozen durians worth $201 million last year, up 29% from the previous year, with earnings ranked second only to longan.
