US to Import Thai Pomelos and Australia to Allow Thai Cooked Duck Imports After Years of Negotiations

Bangkok, May 29 (VNA) — The United States will start importing Thai pomelos next month while Australia has given the go-ahead to import cooked duck from Thailand after years of negotiations, according to the Thai ministry. of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Rapeepat Chantarasriwong, director general of the Department of Agriculture, said the United States had for the first time approved the import of fresh irradiated pomelos from Thailand without any strain restrictions. Pomelo is the eighth Thai fruit to gain US import approval after mango, mangosteen, rambutan, longan, lychee, pineapple and dragon fruit.

Currently, Thailand can export fresh pomelo to 30 countries, with China and Malaysia being the main markets. Last year, Thailand exported about 1 million tons of pomelos worth around THB 45 million ($1.3 million).

The first batch of Thai grapefruits in the United States will be delivered by air next month. The United States requires Thai pomelos to meet Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.

Meanwhile, Prayoon Insakul, permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives, said Australia had finally agreed to import cooked duck from Thailand after seven years of negotiations.

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry approval came into effect on May 16.

Prayoon Insakul expected Thailand to start exporting cooked duck to Australia next month. The export would initially amount to about 1,200 tons worth about 400 million THB. – VNA