Policy Development for Increasing Thai Durian Export Potential

Abstract

         The objectives of this research are 1) to study the potential of exporting Thai durians, and 2) to examine policy recommendations that enhance the potential of Thai durian exports.  The research employed a method of qualitative approach. The key informants consisted of there groups of stakeholders: group 1. nine civil servants involving in policy formulation and implementation; group 2.eight entrepreneurs in the private sector; group 3 five academicians from the Thai Durian Institute. The focus group was undertaken with twenty - eight farmers. The collected data were analyzed by using contextual content analysis.

The research findings suggest two following points.  To begin with, the potential of Thai durian export can be classified into six different aspects as follows: first, three positive factors in the terms of production—human resources, tangible assets, and transportation; second, two positive factors in the demand conditions—the size and growth pattern of demand, together with demand for durians that meets standard; third, four positive factors in industry and other supporting elements—protocol, a variety of durian species, packaging factories, and processing factories; fourth, four positive factors segarding competitive context and business strategy—techniques used to slow down durian yields, standard on the cultivation of durians, production on demand, and credibility building; fifth, four positive factors in the government policies—GAP standards, GMP standards, large-scale agricultural policy, promoting and supporting policies; sixth, a positive factor in opportunity which refers to marketing. The recommendations: the public sector should develop strategic plans for the country’s economic fruits, especially durians. Government agencies should expedite plans to make Thailand a trading hub of durian exports to foreign countries, and expedite studies and arrangements of protocol, covering transportation routes. Also, the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) should expedite development of durian to a higher standard.