Ready-to-eat pomelo is available in packs at a market in Bangkok. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) Bangkok (VNA) - The US will start to import Thaipomelos next month while Australia has given a green light for the import of cookedduck from Thailand after years of negotiations, according to Thailand’s Ministryof Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Rapeepat Chantarasriwong, director-general of the Departmentof Agriculture, said the US for the first time had approved the import ofirradiated fresh pomelos from Thailand without any restriction on strains. Pomelois the eighth Thai fruit to win import approval from the US after mango,mangosteen, rambutan, longan, lychee, pineapple and dragon fruilt.
At present, Thailand can export fresh pomelos to 30countries, with China and Malaysia being the primary markets. Last yearThailand exported about 1 million tonnes of pomelos worth about 45 million THB(1.3 million USD).
The first lot of Thai pomelos to the US will be delivered byair next month. The US requires Thai pomelos to meet Good Agricultural Practice(GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.
Meanwhile, Prayoon Insakul, permanent secretary foragriculture and cooperatives, said Australia had finally agreed to importcooked duck from Thailand after seven years of negotiations.
The approval fromAustralia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry took effect onMay 16.
Prayoon expected Thailand to start exportingcooked duck to Australia next month. The export wouldinitially amount to about 1,200 tonnes worth about 400 million THB./.
