Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is tapping the influence of a prominent social media star to drive its durian and other fruits exports through an online sales event targeting Chinese buyers.
The ministry plans to set new records for both volume and value of fruit exports to China through a live-streaming event featuring Taiyuan Lao Ge, a Chinese influencer who has amassed more than 93 million followers on the local social media platform Kuaishou, as reported.
The Nations.
The telecast planned for May 11 and 12 intends to promote the sale of durians along with various other Thai fruits such as mangoes, longans, mangosteens, and different seasonal types.
Last year, Taiyuan sold a billion baht worth of Thai durians in just one day (BHT1 billion equals US$30.25 million).
Leveraging Chinese influencers for live streaming sales is key to the ministry’s plan to increase Thailand’s fruit exports, particularly during this harvest season, which has resulted in an abundance of top-quality products, as stated by Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan.
The commerce ministry is collaborating with private sector companies and Chinese e-commerce platforms to boost the promotion of Thai agricultural goods and enhance their international standing.
On durian exports specifically, Pichai revealed ongoing talks with Wu Zhiwu, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, to discuss updates on the durian trade.
Pichai has urged Chinese officials to ease contamination inspection procedures and expedite clearances at border checkpoints, requesting more advanced inspection tools, machinery, and personnel to help make export processes smoother during this high-production season.
China Customs has recently pledged to operate around the clock to streamline facilitation.
Thai durian imports
during peak harvest season.
China accounted for 98% of Thailand’s durian exports last year, with an export value of approximately $4 billion, according to Thailand’s official data.
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