The Commerce Ministry has set its sights on increasing sales from geographical indication (GI) products to 50 billion baht this year, up from 48 billion baht in 2022.
According to Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, the ministry is upbeat about the sales prospects of the country's GI products, given the unique and distinctive quality of the products.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating in the territory of a particular country, region or locality that has unique characteristics or qualities, which can increase the market value in developed countries.
There are currently 185 Thai GI-registered products in various categories, such as food, agricultural products, and appliances.
The Commerce Ministry recently registered "Tu-Rian Talay Hoi" or "Talay Hoi Durian" in Krabi as the latest GI product.
The durian plantation areas are in tambon Plaipraya and tambon Khao Khen in Plaipraya district in Krabi, which have good weather and water resources, contain essential nutrients and do not use chemicals resulting in the excellent quality and distinctive appearance of the durian.
The durian has a soft, sweet, oily and intense taste combined with a dry texture.
There are now eight Thai products with GI registration: Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice in the EU and Indonesia; Doi Chang coffee in the EU; Doi Tung coffee in the EU and Cambodia; Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice in the EU and Indonesia; indigenous Isan silk yarn in Vietnam; Lamphun brocade silk in India and Indonesia; Phetchabun sweet tamarind in Vietnam; and Lamphun golden dried longan in Vietnam.
Other GI products being considered for registration include Thung Kula Rong Hai hom mali rice, Pakpanang Tab Tim Siam pomelo and Phetchabun sweet tamarind in China; and Doi Tung coffee, Doi Chang coffee, Phetchabun sweet tamarind and Huay Mon pineapples in Japan.
