Asia Fruit Logistica’s Bangkok Business Meet-Up explored growth opportunities for the Thai fruit and vegetable industry
Asia Fruit Logistica brought together key players in Thailand’s fresh produce business for a day of networking and knowledge-sharing at its Bangkok Business Meet-Up on 3 April.
The Thai capital was the third ‘station’ on Asia Fruit Logistica’s new roadshow of Business Meet-Ups in key markets across Asia, following earlier stops in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Mumbai at Fresh Produce India.
Asia Fruit Logistica has launched the series of content-backed networking events to deepen its connections with regional players and build even greater momentum for the trade show’s return to Hong Kong on 4-6 September 2024.
More than 150 attendees joined the Bangkok Business Meet-Up, which explored growth opportunities for the Thai industry under the theme ‘Cultivating success in fresh produce through expert perspectives’.
The high-calibre speaker lineup featured industry experts such as Pavin Jeeyasak from leading importer Vachamon Food and Gunn Vitidphapatumrong, senior manager of fresh food at Thai retailer Lotus’s. It also included key government officials such as Chaisak Ringluen from the Office of Agricultural Regulation at the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and Natiya Suchinda from the Department of International Trade Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce.
The programme offered insights into key market trends in Asia’s fresh fruit imports and exports, expert advice on cold chain management, and updates on phytosanitary regulations and biosecurity approaches for imports. It also discussed strategies for expanding overseas markets, such as participating in trade fairs to promote products and engage in business networking with foreign trade partners.
As Asia’s premier fresh fruit and vegetable trade show, Asia Fruit Logistica serves as one of the most effective platforms for building industry networks and relationships as well as gaining information and insights on market trends. Attendees were given a full preview to plans for this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica, which takes place at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong on 4-6 September 2024.
In a panel discussion moderated by Yuxin Yang, China editor of Asiafruit Magazine – Asia Fruit Logistica’s knowledge partner – speakers shared their insights on the changes and trends in Thailand’s consumer market after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lotus’s’ Vitidphapatumrong noted that while cost-of-living and inflation pressures have constrained Thai consumers’ spending, demand for high-quality fruit remains strong.
Jeeyasak of Vachamon Food echoed his view. He said consumers are seeking high-value products today more than ever, citing the strong performance of Shine Muscat grapes as an example. Demand for smaller packs is also a clear trend in the Thai market, despite their higher mark-ups, he noted, presenting marketers and retailers with new growth opportunities.
Underlining the growth potential in the Thai market, Erick Aponte, trade commissioner-director at PromPeru for Hong Kong and ASEAN, pointed out Thailand has been a strategic market in Asia for Peruvian exporters. He highlighted the importance of the upcoming comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and Peru, and the new opportunities it will bring for Peruvian products.
The final stop for Asia Fruit Logistica’s roadshow of Business Meet-Ups is Shanghai, where Asia Fruit Logistica holds its China Business Meet-Up at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center on 27-28 May. Co-hosted with China’s leading wholesale markets – Guangzhou Jiangnan, Shanghai Huizhan and Hebei Sunhola – Asia Fruit Logistica’s China Business Meet-Up is the largest-scale event in the series.
For more info on the China Business Meet-Up and to register, visit the website.
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