Tesco is hoping to increase the profile of its Thai produce offer

Tesco is hoping to increase the profile of its Thai produce offer

Tesco launched a two-week promotion push on a new range of Thai exotics under the banner Healthy & Tasty from Thailand last week.

The initiative is taking place at stores between May 31 to June 14 and includes a range of fresh fruit from Thailand.

Tasting events are being held in 70 Tesco stores, where trained demonstrators will be introducing shoppers to Thai fruits such as mangoes, rambutans, lychees and dragonfruit.

This is supported by a customer information booklet, which contains details of the fruit and a competition to win a four-night holiday to Thailand, courtesy of Thai Airways International. The holiday promotion will also appear on packs of Thai fresh produce.

A further holiday to Thailand is up for grabs for Tesco employees, through a competition in Tesco's in-house newspaper, The One.

The promotional activity has been organised by Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion, ministry of commerce and supported by Thai Airways International.

The initiative was unveiled at Tesco’s West Cromwell Road store in Kensington last week, to an audience that included Tesco chairman David Reid, Thai secretary to the minister of commerce Praphol Milindhachinda, chief advisor to the minister of commerce Prof Chaiya Yimwilai, Thailand’s ambassador Kitti Wasinondh and Sunthorn Arunanondchai, chairman of Tesco Lotus, the supermarket chain’s retail brand in Thailand.

Banjongjitt Angsusingh, executive director of the Thai Trade Centre, said: “Following a very successful promotion for Thai fresh produce in Tesco stores in 2008, we are very pleased to be expanding this initiative this year. Thai food is becoming increasingly popular with British consumers and it is great to be able to link with Tesco to showcase the very best our country has to offer.”

The fruit will retail between 99p and £1.99 under an 'any 3 for 2 - get the cheapest free' promotion until the end of this week.