From the crunchy yellow flesh of the jackfruit, that weighs as much as 25 
kilograms and can be eaten fresh or cooked as a meat substitute, to the natural 
coconut water enjoying growing popularity due to its health benefits and 
innovative packaging that preserve freshness while making it easy to drink, 
Thailand's diversified exotic fruit exports are gaining ground among 
health-conscious consumers around the world, data shows.

The country's total fruit exports increased 48% in value in 2021 to some 6.2 
billion U.S. dollars, making Thailand the world's 7th largest fruit exporter, 
according to Global Trade Atlas data.

Global consumption of fruits and fruit juices has risen in recent years due to 
push for a healthier diet, a trend that accelerated during the COVID-19 
pandemic. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization declared 2021 the 
International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, calling them "dietary essentials".

Thailand's fruit output, which peaks for most varieties between March and July, 
also comprises the Durian, the so-called "King of Fruits" and a leading fruit 
export, loved around Asia for its strong smell often compared to cheese and its 
sweet taste; the delicately fragrant white pulp of the mangosteen, or "Queen of 
Fruits", which resembles a little present in it's dark purple shell; the dozens 
varieties of Mangoes eaten ripe or unripe; the Longan with its grape-like white 
flesh and a hint of musk in the flavour; and the Tamarind, enjoyed dry as a 
snack for its sweet and sour flesh, rich in essential nutrients, and digestive 
qualities, or used as the magic main ingredient in the famous Pad Thai noodles.

"Our policy has been to inform Japanese consumers about the variety of fruits 
Thailand offers," said Pimjai Matsumoto, Managing Director of P.K. Siam Co., 
Ltd., one of the leading Thai fruit importers in Japan. "We started years ago 
with one type of mangoes, and over the years we added more mangoes, and now 
other Thai fruits, such as our coconuts, durian, mangosteen, pomelo, and 
tamarind. Tamarind is doing very well this year and its now available in many 
department stores."

While fresh fruits represent the largest share of Thailand's fruit exports, 
with Asia as the main market, the country also exports worldwide canned fruits, 
frozen fruits, ice creams, dried fruits, and drinks, such as pineapple, mango, 
guava, and orange juice, as well as coconut water. Thailand was the eighth 
largest global exporter of fruit juice in 2021, with exports worth 630 million 
dollars, up 13% from the previous year.

The market in the United States and European countries has seen higher demand 
for organic fruit juices, and a rising popularity for other healthy features, 
such as low sugar and low calories, or the addition of healthy substances 
including vitamin and prebiotic.

Media Contact:  DITP, pr@ditp.go.th 

Source: Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, 
Thailand

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=422310

   Caption: Mangoes, mangosteen and tamarind from Thailand on display in a Mega 
supermarket in Tokyo in May 2022