Thai Ministry of Commerce Launches Initiative to Support Off-Season Longan Market
The Department of Internal Trade is implementing measures to absorb 40,000 tons of off-season longan to stabilize the market amid export challenges.
The Thai Department of Internal Trade has launched a strategic intervention in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces to address a surplus of 700,000 tons of off-season longan. According to Prachachat Business, the initiative follows a slowdown in exports caused by stricter import regulations from key trading partners. With approximately 20% to 30% of the harvest already reaching the market, the government is aiming to absorb 40,000 tons to prevent a price collapse. To facilitate this, the Ministry is collaborating with major retail and wholesale chains, Thailand Post, and prominent real estate developers including Sansiri, Supalai, AP Thailand, and Iris Group to create new distribution channels for the fruit. For residents and travelers, this effort may lead to increased availability of fresh longan in local markets and retail outlets across the country. While these measures are intended to support local farmers and stabilize domestic supply, the long-term impact on export volumes remains to be confirmed as international trade conditions evolve. The government continues to monitor the situation to ensure that the domestic market can effectively manage the remaining harvest volume.
