The El Niño weather pattern has led to a severe drought in Thailand that is hampering fruit and vegetable production in the country.
The phenomenon results in dry conditions throughout Asia, and drought is affecting 36 of Thailand's 76 provinces, primarily in the north and northeast of the country, with water levels in reservoirs at around 15 per cent.
There are reports in Thailand the drought could affect 45 provinces and the Mekong River, which flows from China through five countries in South East Asia, is at its lowest level in 90 years near the Thai/Laos border.
'The Mekong River water level has dropped so low that cargo barges can no longer ply their trade,' Peyton Enloe, export manager with Thai company Exoriens, told Fruitnet.com.
'This has reduced imports from China, and increased domestic demand for locally grown produce.'
Suwanchai Chavanchankij, from exporter Siam Jumbo, agreed with Mr Enloe, and said yields on some exotic fruit varieties could be well down this year due to the drought.
'Climate change is a problem in this region. The longer dry period in the summer is a big problem, and yields could be 20-30 per cent lower than normal,' he said.
