Thai Mangosteen Production is Looking Good in South, But Less Optimistic in Eastern Thailand

Recognized as the world’s largest mangosteen producer in recent years, Thailand has two key producing regions: Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces in the southern part of Thailand; and Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Trat provinces in the east. There are slight differences in cultivation between Eastern and Southern Thailand. While mangosteen is grown as a component in mixed-crop planting in Southern Thailand, growers in the east have shifted toward commercial-scale monocrop farms. The harvest season of mangosteen in Eastern Thailand starts from April to June while the harvest in the south lasts from July to September.

However, the current season has presented contrasting outcomes for these regions. Southern Thailand is estimated to see an increase in mangosteen output, reaching 127,551 tons in 2023. This 2% YoY growth is driven by concerns over the potential impact of El Niño on future production. To mitigate these effects, the Department of Agricultural Extension in Thailand has implemented measures to expand planting areas in 14 southern provinces totaling more than 1.3 million rai (208,000 ha).

The situation is less optimistic in Eastern Thailand, specifically in Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Trat provinces. A significant decrease in output due to unfavorable weather conditions is expected for this key mangosteen-producing region. Factors such as prolonged cold periods, heavy rains, and storms have disrupted mangosteen tree flowering and fruiting. Moreover, mangosteen growers have switched to more lucrative crops such as durian, resulting in further reduced area planted for mangosteen cultivation. It is expected mangosteen production in Eastern Thailand will reduce to 184,632 mt, a decrease of 10% YoY. The majority of the harvested mangosteen will be available in the market by June 2023.

The contrasting outcomes between the two regions have implications for the overall supply of mangosteen in Thailand. Overall production of Thai mangosteen in 2023 is estimated to decrease by 17% YoY to 312,183 mt. Although Southern Thailand has experienced an increase in mangosteen output, it is unlikely to compensate fully for the supply shortfall in the east. The initiatives to expand planting areas in southern provinces might help mitigate the potential impact of El Niño in the future, but the overall production increase might not be sufficient to meet the rising demand. This supply and demand imbalance is occurring at a time when global demand for mangosteen remains high, particularly in key importing markets like China, the European Union, and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE)

As a result, first-grade mangosteen prices, which are favored by importers, have increased by 18% MoM to THB 103/kg in June 2023. This upward price trend is likely to continue in the near term as the supply remains limited and demand remains high, creating a competitive market environment among importers seeking limited quantities of mangosteen.