Dragon fruit: Vietnamese dragon fruit
almost dominates Thailand market. Packing export dragon fruits in Hung Thinh
commune (Trang Bom district). Photo: Nam Vu
Facing
difficulties in exporting fresh fruits and vegetables affected by the Covid-19
epidemic, Vietnam is trying to expand export markets, including the Thai
market, which is still considered a competitor of export with Vietnamese
agricultural products.
A billion-dollar
import market
According
to the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand, in 2019, its own exports of fresh and processed
fruits reached about 3.6 billion USD. However, Thailand also imported more than
3 billion tons of fresh fruit with a value of over 1 billion USD; 850 million
tons of vegetables and about 600 million USD from other countries. This shows
that the export power of this agricultural product is also in great demand for
fruits and vegetables. Thailand is the leading market for Vietnam's
agricultural imports in ASEAN, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Up to
now, Thailand has only officially granted permission for 4 Vietnamese fruits:
dragon fruit, mango, longan and lychee to be exported to this country, so there
is still a ‘big gap’ to increase exports of other agricultural products.
Ms. Tran
Thi Thanh My, Commercial Counselor, Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand offered
the following opinion: “We must see Thailand as a trading partner instead of a
competitor. Because Vietnam is exporting many good agricultural products,
especially fresh fruits and vegetables to Thailand. As an example, we are the
main exporter of dragon fruit to Thailand and according to Thai Customs,
Vietnam accounts for 90% of imported dragon fruit of this country.”
According
to businesses that export agricultural products, in addition to fresh fruits, Thailand
has a huge import demand for vegetables that they cannot produce or produce
very little like carrots, potatoes and a variety of herbs, etc. In addition,
there are many potential fruit products exported to this market, such as
businesses trying to export avocados. In addition, there are many potential
fruit products exported to this market, such as businesses trying to export
avocados. Because this is a fruit that Thailand has to import, and currently
the price of 1 avocado sold in Thai supermarkets is up to 70 thousand VND. It
is expected that with the participation of Thai importers in Vietnam, more
fruits and vegetables will be exported to this market in the coming time.
A lot of access
channel
Vietnam
is increasing the export of agricultural products to Thailand, the market is
close but not yet exploited effectively - a very good channel to promote
agricultural products on the international field.
Ms. Tran
Thi Thanh My shared that Thailand attracted a lot of tourists, only Bangkok in
2019 welcomed 39.8 million tourists. These tourists are not only consumers but
also ambassadors to promote Vietnam's fruits and vegetables throughout the
country through the Thai market. Thailand is also considered the processing
center of Southeast Asia. Therefore, there is a need for the country to
diversify its sources of raw materials for processing, including sources from
imports that Vietnam can take advantage of.
Recently,
many Thai corporations have stepped up their investments in Vietnam. This is an
advantage to boost exports of agricultural products in particular and fruit and
vegetable products to this market. Typically, every year, Center Retail Group
with Big C supermarket chain cooperates with the Ministry of Industry and Trade
to organize programs to promote Vietnamese goods into Thailand.
Mr. Paul
Le, Vice President of Central Retail Group of Thailand (investor of Big C
supermarket system and many other retail systems) commented: “Many Vietnamese
fruits are delicious and perfectly meet the requirements of demanding markets,
including Thailand. We really want to boost the import of Vietnamese fruits and
vegetables, especially lychee into Thailand”. According to Mr. Paul Le, every
year, Central Retail Group organizes the “Vietnamese Goods Week in Thailand” program
to support Vietnamese businesses to understand the market and tastes of Thai
consumers.
Vietnam
also has the advantage of exporting to Thailand that few other markets in the
world have - the large Vietnamese diaspora living in the country. Among them,
many people own supermarkets, distribution stores and supply of goods, which is
a favorable condition to market Vietnamese agricultural products to the Thai
people.
By Nam Vu