The government aims to add 18 more products to the country's geographical indication (GI) list this year, a move to generate income for local communities.
Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said the addition of the GI-certified products will help raise sales from GI products to more than 7 billion baht in 2021.
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 typically increases market value for products sold in developed countries and protects the branding of these indigenous products by building consumer confidence in their quality.
GI product sales are estimated to have reached 6 billion baht last year, up from 5.2 billion in 2019, 4 billion in 2018 and 3.7 billion in 2017.
The government has developed 151 GI products in 76 provinces, including Mae Sin tangerines from Sukhothai and Khao Hom Mali Din Phu Khao Fai Buriram rice from Buri Ram (hom mali rice from volcanic soil), which won GI registration in September.
Ang Thong is the only province yet to register a GI product. The province has proposed its indigenous Ekkarat drum for certification.
According to Mr Vuttikrai, the department aims to have GI registrations cover all 77 provinces this year and vows to underline cooperation with the Tambon Administration Organization in each province both in terms of GI registration and promotion.
He said the department also looks set to submit GI applications for Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice and Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice in Indonesia this year.
There are six products with GI registration in foreign countries: Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice, Doi Chaang coffee, Doi Tung coffee and Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice in the EU, indigenous Isan silk yarn in Vietnam and Lamphun brocade silk in India and Indonesia.
Thai GI products pending consideration in foreign markets include Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice, Pakpanang Tab Tim Siam pomelo and Phetchabun sweet tamarind in China; Doi Tung coffee in Cambodia and Japan; Phetchabun sweet tamarind and Lamphun golden dried longan in Vietnam; and Doi Chaang coffee, Huay Mon pineapples in Japan and Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice and Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice in Indonesia.
There are 17 foreign GI products registered in Thailand, including wine from the Napa Valley in the US; tequila from Mexico; Scotch whisky from Scotland; champagne from France; Buon Ma Thuot coffee from Vietnam; Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu palm sugar from Cambodia; and Brunello Di Montacino wine from Italy.
Mr Vuttikrai said GI product sales have seen little impact from the pandemic as most are agricultural items that can serve rising demand during domestic lockdown measures.