Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
In Thailand, sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an economically important aquatic crop cultivated both for flower buds and for seed harvest. Thai Department of Agriculture (DOA) research notes that key Thai seed-producing areas include Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, and Phitsanulok. The same DOA research context describes lotus-seed products being marketed domestically and exported in multiple forms (fresh, dried, frozen) to markets including Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and Singapore. Thai seed-production research also flags yield constraints in tropical conditions (e.g., low seed set), driving varietal evaluation and improvement work.
Market RoleProducer and exporter with domestic consumption
Domestic RoleAquatic cash crop; seeds are harvested for food use and value-added products alongside flower-bud production
Specification
Primary VarietyBua Pathum
Physical Attributes- Seed/pod size and seed fresh/dry weight are used as key quality and yield indicators in Thai lotus seed production trials
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Pond/wetland cultivation (rhizome planting) → flowering and pod formation → pod/seed harvest → seed removal → fresh sale or drying/freezing → packing → domestic distribution and/or export (fresh/dried/frozen forms)
Temperature- Frozen product forms require continuous cold-chain handling
- Dried lotus seeds require humidity control during storage and transport to reduce mold/mycotoxin risk
Shelf Life- Shelf-life performance is sensitive to post-harvest drying adequacy and moisture ingress during storage
Risks
Food Safety HighDried lotus seeds are exposed to mold and mycotoxin (e.g., aflatoxin) compliance risk during drying and storage; Thailand’s food-contaminant regulations explicitly include maximum levels for aflatoxins under the Food Act framework, creating a clear non-compliance pathway that can block sale or trigger rejection.Implement validated drying and moisture-control targets, segregate suspect lots, and use accredited-lab mycotoxin testing as part of release criteria for dried lots.
Agronomic Supply MediumThai seed-production research reports yield limitations in tropical conditions (notably low seed set), which can translate into inconsistent raw seed availability and variable procurement lead times.Multi-source across key producing provinces and contract with growers using evaluated seed-yielding varieties; build buffer inventory for dried forms.
Market Access MediumExport exposure is partly linked to specific destination markets cited in Thai DOA research context (e.g., Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, Singapore), so demand or compliance shifts in these markets can disproportionately affect export programs.Diversify destination portfolio and align specifications/testing to the strictest target-market requirements.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIf lotus seeds are imported into Thailand for sale, Thai FDA licensing and documentation expectations (including GMP-equivalency evidence) can delay clearance or prevent legal sale when incomplete or inconsistent.Use an importer pre-clearance checklist aligned to Thai FDA guidance and ensure GMP documentation and product dossiers are complete before shipment.
FAQ
Which Thai areas are specifically cited as key lotus seed production regions?Thai Department of Agriculture (DOA) research on lotus seed production cites Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, and Phitsanulok as important Thai lotus-growing areas for seed harvest.
Which export markets are mentioned for Thai lotus seed products in the DOA research context?The DOA research context describes lotus-seed products being exported in forms such as fresh, dried, and frozen, with key markets mentioned including Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and Singapore.
If importing lotus seeds into Thailand for sale, what is the key Thai FDA requirement?Thai FDA guidance states that importing food for sale requires an importer license under the Food Act, and the importer should prepare product quality documentation and evidence that the manufacturing system meets standards equivalent to Thai GMP requirements (referenced as GMP 420 for food products).