Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupLeafy vegetable (edible shoots/leaves; indigenous forest/field vegetable in Southeast Asia)
Scientific NameMelientha suavis Pierre
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions- Southeast Asian tropical/subtropical environments; reported as a small deciduous tree species with edible young leaves, flowers, and fruit in regional use.
- Supply may include wild collection in forest ecosystems as well as increasing cultivation in some areas to reduce pressure on wild sources.
Consumption Forms- Cooked vegetable (soups, stir-fries, egg dishes)
- Fresh or lightly prepared in local dishes (market-dependent)
Grading Factors- Tender young shoots/leaves (uniformity and maturity)
- Freshness (turgor) and absence of yellowing or decay
- Low insect damage and minimal physical bruising
- Cleanliness and low foreign matter
Market
Fresh pak wan is a Southeast Asian leafy vegetable traded mainly as tender shoots and young leaves for fresh cooking applications. The product is closely associated with mainland Southeast Asia, where supply can come from a mix of wild collection and cultivated production depending on the species and local practices. Global trade visibility is limited because shipments are typically small, specialty-oriented, and often aggregated under broader “other vegetables/leafy greens” categories rather than a dedicated commodity line. High perishability and product identity ambiguity (similar vernacular names used for different botanical species) shape handling, buyer specifications, and import risk controls.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Major Producing Countries- ThailandKey consumption and market supply country for pak wan; commonly referenced in regional culinary and botanical sources.
- LaosPak wan (phak van) is referenced in Lao/Thai contexts; regional presence and local market consumption are documented.
- VietnamMelientha suavis is reported as present in Viet Nam; young leaves are consumed as a vegetable in regional cuisines.
- CambodiaMelientha suavis is reported as present in Cambodia within its Southeast Asian range.
- MalaysiaMelientha suavis is reported as present in parts of Southeast Asia including Malaysia.
- PhilippinesMelientha suavis is reported as present in parts of Southeast Asia including the Philippines.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Tender shoots and young leaves; typically light green leaves with crunchy, delicate stems in fresh-market presentations.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest (wild or cultivated, depending on species and origin) -> sorting/cleaning -> chilled packing -> short-shelf-life distribution to wet markets, specialty retailers, and foodservice
Temperature- Chilled handling is important; one exporter guidance indicates storage around 7–10°C for fresh pak wan.
Shelf Life- Short shelf life is typical for fresh pak wan; one exporter guidance indicates ~5–7 days under recommended storage conditions.
Risks
Supply Availability HighSupply can be disrupted where pak wan is sourced from wild collection in forests and becomes scarce due to overharvesting and habitat degradation, limiting consistent exportable volumes and increasing price and availability volatility.Prioritize cultivated supply programs where feasible, require documented harvest origin, and implement sustainable collection protocols and supplier audits for any wild-harvested lots.
Food Safety MediumProduct identity ambiguity is a trade risk because similar vernacular names can refer to different botanical species; mislabeling or species substitution can trigger buyer rejection, regulatory scrutiny, or safety concerns depending on the species and usage patterns.Use botanical/species verification at supplier level (scientific name on spec sheets, lot documentation), and align local names with scientific nomenclature in contracts and labels.
Shelf Life Limitation MediumFresh pak wan is highly perishable with a short marketing window; temperature abuse and delays can rapidly reduce quality and saleability, constraining long-distance trade options.Maintain continuous cold chain with rapid post-harvest cooling, expedited logistics, and clear receiving quality checks (freshness, absence of yellowing/decay, foreign matter).
Sustainability- Wild-harvest pressure and habitat loss can reduce availability where supply relies on forest collection, increasing supply volatility and incentivizing cultivation expansion.
- Biodiversity and forest stewardship concerns where collection occurs in natural ecosystems.
Labor & Social- Traceability and chain-of-custody gaps can be higher in informal wild-harvest supply networks, increasing buyer due-diligence burden.
FAQ
What plant does “pak wan” commonly refer to in Southeast Asia?“Pak wan” is a vernacular name used in the region and can refer to different plants depending on context; one commonly documented “forest pak wan” is Melientha suavis (often called pak wan pa), while “pak wan ban” is used for Sauropus androgynus in some references. For trade, using the scientific name on specifications helps avoid confusion.
Where is fresh pak wan mainly found or supplied from?Pak wan is associated with mainland Southeast Asia, with botanical and food references documenting presence and consumption across countries such as Thailand, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Malaysia (for Melientha suavis), with supply coming from local markets and, in some cases, cultivation to supplement or replace wild collection.
How should fresh pak wan be stored and what is the expected shelf life?Fresh pak wan is typically handled as a chilled, short-shelf-life leafy vegetable; one exporter guidance indicates storage around 7–10°C with an approximate shelf life of 5–7 days under recommended conditions.