Thailand targets Japan in bid to boost banana exports

Published 2023년 5월 30일

Tridge summary

Thailand is looking to increase its banana exports to Japan, currently at 2,890 tonnes per year, despite Japan's annual import of over 1 million tonnes. The country is facing low yields due to weather conditions. The Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement exempts tariff for 8,000 tonnes of Thai bananas. However, Thailand faces competition from the Philippines, which holds 76% of the banana market share in Japan. But with the Philippines increasing the price of Cavendish bananas due to rising costs and suffering from a banana plantation plague, Thailand sees an opportunity to expand its market share. The Thai Trade Centre in Tokyo is negotiating with Japanese importers and Thai exporters to boost sales and promote Thai bananas' taste and quality.

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Original content

Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, DITP director-general, said on Tuesday that the nutrient-packed fruit is popular in Japan because not only is it a tasty, healthy snack, but can also be used as an ingredient in many desserts. Though the fruit can be cultivated in Japan, the yields are often low due to the weather, he said, adding that the country imports more than 1 million tonnes of bananas annually. However, he said, Thailand only exports 2,890 tonnes of bananas to Japan per year, even though the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) exempts tariff for 8,000 tonnes of Thai bananas. “We have the opportunity to expand our market share for bananas in Japan,” he said. Chanthapat Panjamanond, director of the Thai Trade Centre in Tokyo, said Thailand was facing problems exporting bananas to Japan as the Philippines holds 76% of the banana market share there. Nevertheless, now is the time for Thailand to penetrate the banana market in Japan because the Philippines has ...

Source: Nationthailand