The Commerce Ministry looks set to submit geographical indication (GI) applications for Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice and Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice in Indonesia next year, a move to raise income from products unique to the country.
Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said if approved, the two products will help raise sales of the country's total GI products from about 6 billion baht this year.
There are six product items with GI registration in foreign countries, comprising Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice, Doi Chaang coffee, Doi Tung coffee and Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice in the EU; Isan indigenous Thai silk yarn in Vietnam; and Lamphun brocade silk in India and Indonesia.
Sales of Thai GI products registered in foreign countries are not available.
Mr Vuttikrai said Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice is a GI product that is widely recognised for its international quality and is famous in Europe. The rice has an aroma distinct from other kinds of rice grown outside the area.
The department submitted a GI application for the grain in China and Malaysia and is waiting for approval.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular country, region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics.
The certification of unique characteristics and quality typically increases the market value in developed countries.
GI registration will help protect the branding of these communities' indigenous products and build consumer confidence in their quality, as well as local wisdom.
Mr Vuttikrai said GI product sales are expected to increase by more than 800 million baht this year from 5.2 billion last year.
GI product sales have experienced little impact from the outbreak, he said.
Mr Vuttikrai said the government directed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is committed to developing and promoting GI products in every province to generate income for communities and to solve the country's poverty. The department plans to promote GI registration to cover all 77 provinces this year.
In September, the government added to the country's GI list Cha Nee Koh Chang durian from Trat; Sangkhom dried banana from Nong Khai; Kaow Hom Mali Din Phu Khao Fai Buriram rice from Buri Ram, and Mae Sin tangerines from Sukhothai. Some 134 Thai indigenous products have GI registration from 76 provinces.