A subsidiary of the Alibaba Group has signed a purchase deal for at least 800,000 durians from Thai farmers' cooperatives in three eastern provinces, for next year, at above market prices. The agreement was sealed on Wednesday by representatives of Shanghai Win Chain Supply Management Co, the Wangsai Land Settlement Cooperative in Rayong province, Khaosaming Cooperatives in Trat province and the Makham Agricultural Cooperative in Chanthaburi province.
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Wiwat Salyakamthorn said the Alibaba Group intended to sell Thai durian through Tmall.com and its stores in China, so his ministry arranged for a meeting of the buyer and local farmers' cooperatives on April 19.
According to the Bangkok Post, the deputy minister expected the company to order at least 3,000 tonnes or about 800,000 durians next year. The overall purchase price was estimated at 360 million baht (€9.23 mln).
