By Thai Newsroom Reporters
EASTERN FRUIT ORCHARDS are seeing a drop in harvest volume largely due to unfavorable weather conditions, thus prompting a rise in sales value this year.
According to Department of Agricultural Extension Director-General Khemkhang Yutithamdamrong, durian, mangosteen, rambutan and longkong – all being viewed as cash crops of Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat – were forecast to yield less harvest volume due to intermittent rainstorms and long cold spells between late last year and early this year.
The total harvest volume of each of those major fruits in the eastern provinces was forecast to drop by an average of 10%, Khemkhang commented.
The eastern fruit orchards would yield 575,500 tonnes of durian, 106,800 tonnes of mangosteen, 197,700 tonnes of rambutan and 20,000 tonnes of longkong for the harvest season, beginning in May.
Durian, mangosteen and rambutan would sell for an average of 113.33 baht, 196.67 baht and 55 baht a kilogramme respectively, he said.
The eastern durian and mangosteen which are not only bound for domestic consumption but export are likely to sell for a higher price.
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Top: A fruit vendor’s display at Bangkok’s Weekend Market. Photo: Mark McElroy (CC BY 2.0)
Home Page: Rambutan growing on a tree. Photo: Yun Huang Yong (CC BY 2.0)
