The move by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to declare a stateof emergency in Bangkok this week has resulted in a more cautiousmarket for fresh produce, according to importers.
Anti and pro-government protestors have clashed in the city, with many reported injured and a least one confirmed fatality.
“The traders inthe Bangkok area have suffered because the buyers don’t come to thewholesale market as usual – they want to see what the situation isfirst,” one importer told Fruitnet.com. “Consumers want to buy fruitsfrom the supermarkets near their homes at this time. But the situationshould return to normal soon.”
Another importer said the impact on the fruit trade is minimal, adding that demand for apples and grapes is strong.
Meanwhile,Thai produce exports have not been hit, according to Coolcargo’s ChrisCatto-Smith. While recent protests resulted in the temporary closure ofsome airports in the south, international trade through Bangkok’sSuvarnabhumi Airport has not been affected, he said, and it would take“a serious escalation of issues for any interruption to trade”.
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