The Australian stonefruit industry is targeting Thailand as a potential market for exports, the Weekly Times has reported.
According to agricultural trade officials in the state of Victoria, Thailand has an emerging middle class with more disposable income and a desire for imported produce.
Australian stonefruit exporters shipped much of their fruit to Taiwan until the market was closed off in 2006, causing oversupply in the domestic market and a fall in prices.
Cynthia Mahoney, a project manager with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said a study had identified stonefruit as one of several sectors with the potential to grow as an export market.
The DPI and Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) has held promotions in two Thailand supermarket chains this year and the response was very receptive to Australian stonefruit.
Bryan Balmer, Victorian DPI representative for China and South East Asia, said a promotion in the lead-up to Chinese New Year was so successful that Victorian nectarines, peaches and plums sold out.
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