Minister of Agriculture Chaired the signing of the MOU between the A.T.K. with Pagoda Company To procure Thai quality fruits for export to the Chinese market. Initially, 13,000 tons of durian and over 800 tons of mangosteen will be purchased according to the agreement. Captain Thammanat Prompao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over the opening ceremony and witnessed the signing of the cooperation agreement to supply quality Thai fruits to the Chinese market together with Mrs. Zhang Xiaoxiao, Minister Counselor. (Commercial Department) Chinese Embassy In Thailand at the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Shenzhen Pagoda Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. (Pagoda Company) and the Farmers Market Organization (F.T.K.) For the signing ceremony of cooperation documents to supply quality Thai fruits to the Chinese market, there were 4 documents: 1) Memorandum of cooperation in expanding export markets for agricultural products and consumer products between Pagoda Company and the Farmer s Market Organization. 2) Letter of intent for cooperation in supplying quality Thai fruits to the Chinese market between Pagoda Company and Richfield Fresh Fruit Co., Ltd. 3) Letter of intent for cooperation in supplying quality Thai fruits to the Chinese market between Pagoda Company and Sangthai Produce Co., Ltd. 4) Letter of intent for cooperation in supplying Thai quality fruits to the Chinese market between Pagoda Company and Fuzin Siam Inter Fruit Co., Ltd., which is expected to purchase approximately 13,824 tons of durian after the signing. 880 tons of mangosteen, total value 1,650 million baht Captain Thammanat said Thailand is considered one of the world's agricultural and food centers, with outstanding geography, weather conditions, and integrated agricultural industries. As a result, Thailand is a country with the potential to produce agricultural products and food with top quality and safety in the world, especially the production of many types of high quality tropical fruits. Therefore it is known as the Kingdom of Fruits and is the country that exports the most fruits to China. This is in line with the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Under the important principle: leading market, supplementary innovation. To increase income for Thai farmers Focusing on upgrading agricultural products Promote adding value to agricultural products By creating brand names for agricultural products, creating 1 local, 1 high value agricultural product. Including raising the safety and quality standards of Thai fruits exported abroad. Especially the Chinese market which is Thailand's largest export market. Currently, Thailand can export 22 types of fruit to China and is in the process of requesting permission to open the export market for many additional Thai fruits. Thailand places importance on the quality of Thai fruits. Including the standards of every production process to ensure that Chinese consumers can be confident that Thai fruits not only have good taste, but also have quality, stan dards, and safety. In the past year 2023, Thailand has exported fruits. More than 2.36 million tons went to China, valued at more than 213,468 million US dollars. It accounts for 90 percent of the value of Thai fruit exports. Captain Thammanat thanked the Chinese Embassy on behalf of the Chinese government. We give importance to and support the event to promote cooperation between the two countries and hope that this event It will help push and expand the market for Thai outstanding and quality fruits in the Chinese market in a stable and sustainable manner. For sustainable food security in the Asia and Pacific region Mr. Yu Huiyong, president of Pagoda Company, said: Pagoda has purchased more than 220,000 tons of quality Thai fruit and has partnerships with many fruit orchards and packing houses. Ready to integrate with government agencies to promote the development of Thailand's high quality fruit industry throughout the industry chain. Pagoda has selected fruits that are outstanding and of high quality a ccording to Pagoda's highest selection standards. Under the world's first fruit grading system devised by Pagoda, which uses the criteria "Four Levels, One Smell, One Safe", these fruits come from important production areas around the world. It grows in a unique natural environment. Adhere to the principles of natural fruit ripening. And it's only available on the market during the time when it tastes best. Including more than 200 safety items tested in order to get fruit that is both fresh, delicious and safe. In addition, it is preparing to organize the Thai Fruit Festival for the year 2024, which the Agriculture Department At the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou and Pagoda Company It is scheduled to be held from 8 - 14 May 2024 in China to promote the standard quality of Thai fruits and the distribution of Thai quality fruits through Pagoda's more than 6,000 fruit stores throughout China. Chinese media and key opinion leaders (KOLs) will also be brought to visit the gardens and packing plants of quality Thai fruits in Chanthaburi Province on April 23, 2024. China has been Thailand's number one trading partner for 11 years in a row, with Chinese businesses investing in Thailand worth a total of 4.6 billion US dollars, and it is also Thailand's largest export market for agricultural products and fruits. In 2023, China imported agricultural products from Thailand worth 15,433 million US dollars. An increase of 1.6 percent compared to the previous year. This is the import of fruits worth 7,056 million US dollars. An increase of 11.9 percent, of which durian imports were valued at 4,566 million US dollars. with an increase of 18 percent. 512 - Source: Thai News Agency