As part of a scheme to increase fruit exports to China, Thailand is planning a promotional roadshow ahead of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou later this year.
The roadshow will take place throughout Guangdong province ahead of the event, which is set to run 12-17 November, reported the Bangkok Post.
Guangdong is being given special attention in a wider Thai government plan to expand exports to mainland China, according to Thai Prime Minister’s Office Minister Virachai Virameteekul.
The majority of Thai fruit traded in China goes through the Jiangnan wholesale market in Guangzhou, but the government is also planning to expand distribution channels into new provinces.
Mr Virachai told the Post the Thai Commerce Ministry and other agencies were planning additional roadshows in cities and provinces like Tianjin, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangxi.
The government is also planning on more fruit shipments going overland, in particular via the R3 road from Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai to Yunnan, and the R9 road from Mukdahan to the Pingxiang checkpoint, the Post report said.
Sales of Thai fruits to China have increased steadily since the introduction of an ASEAN free trade agreement with the country four years ago.
Thailand is expecting fresh and dried fruit exports to China will hit THB10bn (US$300m) this year, after 2009’s THB6.8bn (US$204m) and 2008’s THB4.94bn (US$148m).
