BANGKOK– The Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with the private sector, has organized the Organic & Natural Expo 2016 at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until July 31st. The event aims to meet the rising demand in the health and wellness market.
Permanent Secretary for Commerce Chutima Bunyapraphasara said the market for organic produce has continued to grow each year. In 2015, Thailand exported approximately four billion baht’s worth of organic produce.
The government has therefore encouraged farmers to grow crops organically. The government is aiming for 10 percent annual growth in organic farming as a way of tackling the slump in agricultural prices. Thailand currently has 5,000 rai of organic farms, which mostly consist of riceberry rice paddies. Riceberry rice tends to have a higher market value than other types of rice.
The Ministry of Commerce also plans to support trade networks and finding new foreign markets for agriculturists. The ministry recently held a program to push standout organic products to global markets, such as organic jasmine rice, organic ginger beer, instant pumpkin tea, tamarind plums with honey, and cosmetics made from rice.
