DOMESTIC FRUIT CONSUMPTION AND FRUIT EXPORT OF THAILAND

摘要

The objectives of this research were to investigate fruit consumption patterns of Thai households, to study the potential in exporting longan and lychee, to analyze factors affecting import demands for longan, lychee, and their products in China and Hong Kong, and to investigate problems and obstacles facing Thai exporters and China and Hong Kong importers. The results showed that the income elasticity of demand for fruit consumption of Thai households as a whole was inelastic, indicating that fruits are their necessary goods. Thailand had a high potential in exporting longan and lychee. According to demand analysis, it was found that Chinese national income was the main factor affecting import demands for fresh longan, while both price and income were crucial factors affecting import demand for Thai dried longan in China. Hong Kong national income and prices were also main factors that affected import demands for fresh longan, dried longan, fresh lychee, and canned lychee in Hong Kong. All estimated elasticities were elastic implying that longan, lychee, and their products were luxury goods in China and Hong Kong. Concerning problems and obstacle, this research found that the price determination on fresh longan and lychee for exports was influenced by Chinese market. Revenues from exporting fresh longan and lychee were unstable due to consignments. Some Thai exporters were lack of exporting experiences particularly on related documents, procedure, and finding new markets. Importers of longan and lychee in China and Hong Kong were interviewed regarding import problems. The study found that the quality of off - season fresh longan was unstable comparing to in - season longan. High level of sulfur dioxide was found in Thai fresh longan exported to China. Importers had no incentives to launch a new market because of consignment. Both foreign importers and Thai exporters were concerned about rules and restrictions on the recent Thai - China trade agreement. The study suggested that Thai exporters should be well informed concerning such rules and restrictions.