BANGKOK: Thailand is promoting itself as the centre of organic farming and trading in Asean and aims to become one of the world’s major suppliers of organic products.
Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said yesterday that the ministry and producers planned to increase the country’s share of the world market in the organic sector as it foresaw that as a sustainable way to help farmers and promote good living. She said Thailand had good potential to become the centre of organic farming and trading within Asean, but to achieve the goal it required more policy support and awareness about organic products from farmers and consumers.
The government has devised a five-year plan to develop organic products to boost the country’s market share globally. The plan started this year and aims to add value to organic goods. The government will help the marketing and packaging development of products. Under the plan, exports of organic products to the world market are forecast to grow 10 per cent each year. Currently, the annual value of organic-product exports is Bt4 billion.
The world market value of organic products is US$72 billion (Bt2.3 trillion) annually and grows at an average rate of 12.8 per cent each year. Thai products have a share of less than 1 per cent of the market. The United States, Germany and France are the three leading exporters of organic produce, in that order.
Peerachote Charanwong, chairman of the Thai Organic Trade Association, said the Kingdom’s long history had influenced Thais in the growing of organic products but compared with many foreign countries Thailand was still in the learning stage in the sector. A good start is acknowledging the responsibility producers must show towards consumers, he said.
“Consumers still have a lack of knowledge about organic products. Thus the government should help promote consumer acknowledgement about organic farming and products so the industry can grow sustainably,” he said. The Commerce Ministry will stage Thailand’s biggest organic fair, “Organic & Natural Expo”, at Queen Sirikit Convention Centre in Bangkok from next Thursday to July 31. More than 300 companies will participate in the event. It is expected to generate Bt30 million in immediate sales, while about 40,000 visitors are expected to attend.
