A FRESH market in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) is overflowing with Chinese fruits and vegetables with vendors saying the quality is good, the colours beautiful, and they are cheaper than what Thailand produces, Amarin TV said yesterday (Aug. 14).
A reporter of this TV channel went to investigate the fruits and vegetables being sold at Mae Gim Heng fresh market, city district, and saw that Chinese produce were being briskly sold.
A source said vendors placed orders for Chinese fruits with distributors in Laos and they are delivered by high-speed train across the border to Northeastern Thailand and it takes only a day to receive the goods.
The fruits from China are packed in boxes and covered with plastic sheeting to prevent damage with the quality and colours being more beautiful than that of Thailand and they are also cheaper.
Many kinds of fruits have been ordered for sale at this fresh market including apples, grapes and oranges and they are popular with customers who need beautiful fruits for ceremonies they are performing.
Ms. Songad Sadmareng, a vegetable vendor at this market, said that she had to order fresh vegetables from China to sell because some kinds of vegetables are in short supply here while they are available all year round there.
Regarding vegetables, many kinds are being imported from China and they are being sold mixed with the Thai variety, especially broccoli, cabbage, bell peppers, and various kinds of mushrooms, all well packed and cheaper than Thai varieties.
She buys the Chinese produce from a middleman for 10 baht a pack and resells at 20 baht each to make some profit.
She added that if the middleman is charging 10 baht a pack then the production cost is probably 4 to 5 baht with farmers here unable to produce at this low cost while production cost is also increasing every year.
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Chinese fruits and vegetables at Mae Gim Heng fresh market in Nakhon Ratchasima. Photos: Amarin TV
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