The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) is set to host a Thai Fruit Festival this month, featuring a durian buffet to promote local fruit consumption.
Wittayakorn Maneenetr, the director-general of the DIT, announced that the festival will take place from June 19 to 22 at Siam Square. The event aims to showcase and sell fresh and processed fruits directly sourced from farmers and entrepreneurs.
A key attraction of the festival is an all-you-can-eat durian buffet, expected to draw young consumers and international tourists. The initiative seeks to encourage the consumption of domestically grown fruits while supporting farmers by boosting their income during the harvest season.
The department is collaborating with fresh markets, wholesalers, and retail outlets such as Gourmet Market, Siam Paragon, Big C, and Central to run promotional campaigns from June 4 through August 27. These campaigns will feature a variety of seasonal fruits available to consumers.
Private organizations are also participating in distributing fruit during peak season. Some gas station operators, for example, purchase fruit and give it away as complimentary gifts—initially offering mangoes to their customers. Additionally, several organizations, including the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Bankers’ Association, are buying fruits as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts to assist farmers.
Wittayakorn explained that the department plans to distribute 300,000 fruit boxes to farmers in cultivation areas to help reduce their costs. Thailand Post is providing logistics support to facilitate both offline and online sales.
Currently, about 78% of durians from eastern Thailand are on the market, with prices improving thanks to eased export restrictions following reduced residue checks in China. The prices for durian grades are approximately 130 baht per kilogram for Grade AB, 93 baht for Grade C, and 79 baht for Grade D.
Around 50% of the mangosteen crop has been harvested, with prices varying from 30 to 89 baht per kilogram depending on quality. Rambutan harvests are also at 50%, with export prices averaging 38 baht per kg and domestic prices at 27 baht.
Thailand’s mango production is also abundant, with half of the crop harvested. The department is coordinating with buyers to source mangoes for distribution through low-priced events like Thong Fah (Blue Flag) and other outlets beyond cultivation areas, including government agencies, industrial estates, and local communities.
Additionally, Forth Vending, operator of Tao Bin smart beverage vending machines, is sourcing fresh fruit directly from farmers to produce smoothies and juices. The department has also engaged with AirAsia to help purchase mangoes from local farmers.
