While Thailand's imports of U.S. fruit may have fallen by 8% year-on-year from January to May this year, the value of sales was only down slightly (-3%) and strong export rises were seen in several crops.

This is also in the lead-up to the key summer period, which in 2016 saw positive export gains in Thailand for U.S. fruit such as table grapes (+6%; US$10.8 million), cherries (+44%; US$7.9 million) and organic grapes (+335%: US$174,000).

In the first five months of 2017 though, exports to the Southeast Asian country would have been higher year-on-year if it weren't for a 9% drop in apple exports to US$5.8 million. 

Representing more than two-thirds of U.S. fruit export value to the country for the period, average prices were higher given volume was actually 14% lower.

U.S. orange exports to the country were up 45% (US$1.26 million), organic lemons went from zero for the same period in 2016 to US$209,000, while growth was also seen in organic strawberries (+161%; US$154,000) and fresh conventional strawberries (+4%; US$150,000).

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com