Thailand, the land of smiles, is also a land of warm sunshine, fertile soil, and tropical fruits that captivate people worldwide. These exported Thai fruits and conserved plants are not only a source of food and cultural significance but also crucial economic drivers, boosting Thailand's export market and generating income for local farmers.
Thailand has 11 conserved plants as per the Plant Variety Protection Act, B.E. 2518 (1975), including durian, pomelo, grapes, longan, lychee, tamarind, coconut, Kwao Krua, Thong Khrua, salak, and pineapple, all of which are economically significant exported Thai fruits.
Durian
- Price: 60-120 THB per kilogram (domestic), 90-200 THB per kilogram (export)
- High Season: May-June
Durian: Durian is one of Thailand's most economically important fruits, with high export value and demand, especially in Asia. Originating from Thailand and Southeast Asia, the main cultivation areas are in the Eastern, Central, and Southern regions, with Chanthaburi, Chumphon, and Ranong being the top producing provinces. The main harvesting season is from March to July, with the high season in May and June, when the highest quantity of durians is available on the market. Durian prices in the domestic market average 60-120 THB per kilogram, depending on quality and variety, while export prices range from 90-200 THB per kilogram due to high international demand. Durian, as an exported Thai fruit, plays a crucial role in driving the Thai economy.
Pomelo
- Price: 30-80 THB per kilogram (domestic), 60-150 THB per kilogram (export)
- High Season: March
Pomelo: Pomelo is a highly popular tropical fruit both domestically and internationally. The main cultivation areas are in the Eastern, Central, and Western regions of Thailand, with the top producing provinces being Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, and Nakhon Pathom. Pomelo yields its produce from February to April, with the high season in March. Domestic market prices range from 30-80 THB per kilogram, depending on quality and grade, while export prices are higher, ranging from 60-150 THB per kilogram. Thailand exports high-quality pomelos to many countries, including China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Grapes
- Price: 60-120 THB per kilogram (domestic), 100-200 THB per kilogram (export)
- High Season: January-March
Grapes: Grapes are a tropical fruit grown in Thailand, particularly in the Eastern and Central regions. The main cultivation areas include Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi, Rayong, Chonburi, and Ratchaburi due to the favorable climate in these regions. Grapes produce their yield from December to April, with the high season from January to March. Domestic market prices for grapes range from 60-120 THB per kilogram, while export prices are higher, ranging from 100-200 THB per kilogram due to the need for quality selection for international markets. Thailand exports grapes to many countries, especially in Asia, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and China. Grapes are thus an important exported Thai fruit for the country's economy.
Longan
- Price: 40-60 THB per kilogram
- High Season: June-July
Longan: Longan is a widely consumed fruit in Thailand. The main cultivation areas are in the Northern and Northeastern regions, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Udon Thani, due to the suitable climate. Longan yields its produce from June to July, which is the high season for Thai longan. Domestic market prices for longan are relatively high, ranging from 40-60 THB per kilogram, due to its popularity both fresh and processed into various products. Longan is also exported to international markets such as China, South Korea, and Vietnam. Longan is one of the exported Thai fruits that play a significant role in generating income for Thai farmers.
Lychee
- Price: 80-150 THB per kilogram
- High Season: June-August
Lychee: Lychee is a tropical fruit that is widely consumed in Thailand. The main cultivation areas are in Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Trat provinces, located in the Eastern region with a suitable humid climate. Lychee produces fruit during the rainy season, blooming in March-April, and the fruit is ready for harvest from June to August, which is the high season for lychee. Domestic market prices for lychee are relatively high, ranging from 80-150 THB per kilogram, due to its popularity and limited production.
Tamarind
- Price: 40-80 THB per kilogram (domestic), 80-150 THB per kilogram (export)
- High Season: April-June
Tamarind: Tamarind is a native plant with significant economic and cultural importance in Thailand. It originates from the central and eastern regions of the country, with major cultivation areas in Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, and Saraburi provinces. Tamarind is drought-resistant and can produce yield during the dry season. It flowers from January to April and is ready for harvest from April to June, which is the high season. Domestic market prices for fresh tamarind range from 40-80 THB per kilogram, while export prices range from 80-150 THB per kilogram, depending on quality. Besides being consumed fresh, tamarind is also processed into various food and beverage products such as tamarind juice and tamarind jam.
Coconut
- Price: 4-8 THB per fruit
- High Season: April-August
Coconut: Coconut is a major economic crop in Southern Thailand, with key cultivation areas in Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Chumphon, and Ranong provinces. Coconuts can be harvested year-round, but the peak production period, or high season, is from April to August. The price of fresh coconuts in the domestic market ranges from 4-8 THB per fruit. Besides being consumed fresh, coconuts can be processed into various export products such as coconut oil, cosmetics, and food products. The export prices of these products vary depending on the type. Coconuts are thus a significant tropical fruit for the economy of the coastal regions of Southern Thailand.
Kwao Krua (Pueraria mirifica)
- ราคา: 200-500 บาทต่อกิโลกรัม
- High Season: July-October
Kwao Krua (Pueraria mirifica): Kwao Krua is a famous Thai medicinal herb known worldwide for its outstanding properties in boosting female estrogen hormones. Kwao Krua is found in the mountainous forests of Northern and Northeastern Thailand, with the main cultivation areas being Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani, and Khon Kaen. The harvesting season for Kwao Krua tubers is during the rainy season (July-October). The price of fresh Kwao Krua tubers in Thailand is approximately 200-500 THB per kilogram, depending on quality. Besides being sold fresh, it is also processed into dietary supplements and cosmetics. Kwao Krua is significant to Thailand as it is a high-value herb that generates income for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Thong Khrua
- Price: 70-150 THB per kilogram (fresh), 200-500 THB per kilogram (powder)
- High Season: March-May
Thong Khrua: Thong Khrua is an important medicinal herb used in Thailand for disease treatment, energy enhancement, and antioxidant properties. It is a native plant that has been cultivated and consumed for a long time. Thong Khrua can be grown in all regions of the country, with significant cultivation areas in the Northern and Northeastern regions. The harvesting season for Thong Khrua is during the summer, from March to May, which is the high season for harvesting as the tubers are ripe and ready. The price of fresh Thong Khrua in Thailand ranges from 70-150 THB per kilogram, depending on quality and variety. In addition to being sold fresh, Thong Khrua is also processed into powder for export, with prices ranging from 200-500 THB per kilogram, depending on the quality of processing. Thong Khrua is significant to Thailand as it is crucial for producing herbal medicines and dietary supplements. It is also one of the conserved plants under the Plant Variety Protection Act, preserving Thailand's genetic plant resources for national sovereignty and benefit.
Salak
- Price: 80-150 THB per kilogram (domestic), 120-250 THB per kilogram (export)
- High Season: June-September
Salak: Salak is an important economic fruit in Thailand, particularly in the Northern and Northeastern regions. It is widely grown in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Chiang Rai, and Khon Kaen provinces. Native to these regions, salak is well-suited to the local climate. The fruiting season for salak is during the rainy season, with flowering occurring from March to April and harvesting from June to September, which is the high season. Salak prices in Thailand are relatively high due to its popularity, with fresh salak in the market priced at 80-150 THB per kilogram, while export prices range from 120-250 THB per kilogram, depending on quality. Salak, a tropical fruit, holds a significant place in Thai culinary culture and is also processed into various products.
Pineapple
- Price: 10-25 THB per fruit or 12-30 THB per kilogram (domestic), 25-40 THB per fruit (export)
- High Season: February-April
Pineapple: Pineapple is a significant economic crop in Eastern Thailand, with major cultivation areas in Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, and Phetchaburi provinces. Pineapple is well-adapted to the soil and hot, humid climate of Thailand, allowing it to produce fruit year-round. However, the peak production period, or high season, is from February to April. Domestic market prices for pineapple are relatively low, ranging from 10-25 THB per fruit or 12-30 THB per kilogram, depending on size and quality. For export, only high-quality pineapples are selected, with export prices ranging from 25-40 THB per fruit. Thailand exports pineapples to many countries worldwide, including China, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
These are the 11 conserved Thai plants as listed in the Plant Variety Protection Act, B.E. 2518 (1975). These exported Thai fruits are crucial for preserving Thailand's valuable plant resources, ensuring they endure and benefit the people for generations to come.
Prohibitions and Penalties: According to Section 30 of the aforementioned Act, no one is allowed to export these conserved plants without written permission from the Minister, and only for the purposes of experimentation or academic research. Violators are subject to a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 4,000 THB, or both.
If you have any questions, please contact the Plant and Agricultural Materials Control Office.
Let's work together to preserve these precious treasures, including tropical fruits and conserved Thai plants, for a sustainable future of Thailand.
Referenced from the announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Subject: Determining the Types and Names of Plant Varieties as Conserved Plants
According to the Plant Variety Protection Act, B.E. 2518 (1975).
Announced on October 7, 2013.
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