Fruit and berry imports to Thailand: how to sell your produce on the Thai market
Fruit and berry imports to Thailand · for growers and exporters
Do you grow or export fruit and berries and are thinking about selling in Thailand? I help you find out whether your product can be imported, find buyers and run meetings and negotiations in Thai.
Mike Boldyrev: 14 years in Thailand. Growers and exporters from Russia, the CIS and many other countries come to me. Terms are discussed individually.
- Step 1checking whether the product can be imported
- 5 channelsretail chains, importers, cafés, food plants, gifts
- 1,690 ฿video consultation, up to 30 minutes
- RU · EN · THworking languages
Fruit imports to Thailand: what is happening on the market
Despite the abundance of their own tropical fruit, Thais happily buy imported fruit and berries. A few years ago there was little of it; today the shelves carry cherries, apples, grapes and berries from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, China, Japan and Korea.
In my observation, many imported fruits taste disappointing, and some types and varieties are scarce or missing altogether. That is the niche for suppliers who can offer flavour and consistent quality.
What could interest the Thai market
Cherries
Thais love cherries and use them in desserts. Probably one of the most popular imported fruits.
Raspberries, blueberries and other berries
Blueberries go into juices, yoghurts and drinks, and demand is high. Blackberries, currants and sea buckthorn are hard to find.
Melons
Melons are popular here, with local and Japanese varieties. But truly sweet, fragrant melons are hard to find in shops.
Apricots, pears and plums
Apricots are rare and usually tasteless, and pears are mostly hard. Plums are gaining popularity in juices and yoghurts.
Frozen berries
A separate channel: makers of juices, yoghurts, ice cream and baked goods. They need large volumes and consistent quality.
The key question: can your product be imported
Fresh plant products may be imported only if import conditions have been set for that product from your country, based on a phytosanitary risk assessment.
- Import conditions exist. You need an import permit, a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country and a Thai importer with the right licences.
- No import conditions. Gaining access is a long government-to-government process. In that case we look at other formats: frozen berries, dried products, purées, jams and juices.
- Processed products. Frozen and dried products, jams and juices are registered as food with the Thai FDA, and a Thai-language label is required.
Requirements change, so we check the current procedure for your product and your country before starting negotiations with buyers.
Who buys imported fruit and berries
Retail chains
Big C, Tops, Lotus’s, Makro and premium supermarkets.
Fruit importers
They buy imported fruit and distribute it to shops and wholesale markets.
Cafés and pastry shops
Berries and cherries for desserts, cakes, drinks and smoothies.
Food manufacturers
Makers of juices, yoghurts, ice cream and baked goods buy frozen berries.
Gift segment
Premium fruit in attractive packaging sells well in gift sets and for holidays.
Logistics and freshness
- Berries and delicate fruit go by air because their shelf life is short.
- Apples, pears and other firm fruit can go by sea in a reefer container.
- The cold chain is critical in a tropical climate, from the plane or container to the shop shelf.
- A trial shipment before regular supplies, to check quality on arrival, logistics and buyer response.
How I help
- Access check. Together with specialists I find out whether your product can be imported and on what conditions.
- Buyer list. Chains, importers, cafés, food plants, matched to your product and volumes.
- Meetings and samples. I set up meetings and come with samples, documents and certificates.
- Negotiations. Prices, volumes, delivery schedule, payment terms. Contracts are reviewed by licensed lawyers.
- Receiving goods in Thailand. Import through a customs broker, checking the goods on arrival. Broker in Thailand →
- Sales follow-up. I make sure the goods reach the shelves on time, are stored properly and sell.
Growers and exporters who wanted to sell their fruit and berries in Thailand have come to me. I helped them understand the import requirements, looked for buyers and ran negotiations in Thai.
Prices
up to 30 minutes: we go through your product and task
per day; I estimate the scope in days in advance
through UnblockPro.Asia and licensed specialists
All prices include 7% VAT.
Samples and their delivery, duties, taxes and fees are paid separately. Payment is by PromptPay, bank transfer in Thailand or SWIFT from abroad.
Please note: I am an interpreter and business representative, not a lawyer. Company registration, licences and legal review of contracts are handled by my company UNBLOCK PRO ASIA together with licensed specialists. Permits and certificates are issued by government authorities, and customs clearance is done by licensed brokers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import fresh berries into Thailand from my country?
It depends on whether import conditions have been set for that specific product from your country. That is the first thing we check, before looking for buyers.
Is it easier with frozen berries?
As a rule the requirements are different, and for many suppliers it is a faster way into the market. We confirm the procedure for your product in advance.
Do I need my own company in Thailand?
Not necessarily. You can work through a Thai fruit importer. Your own company gives more control but requires more investment.
How do I keep the fruit fresh in transit?
Air for berries, a reefer container for firm fruit, proper packaging and a cold chain all the way to the shelf. We start with a trial shipment.
How much does your work cost?
A video consultation is 1,690 ฿ for 30 minutes; a day of finding buyers, meetings and negotiations is 11,900 ฿. I tell you the scope in days in advance.
Do you only work with Russia?
No. Most requests come from Russia and the CIS, but I work with clients from many countries; terms are discussed individually.
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Want to sell fruit and berries in Thailand? Message me
Tell me about your product, volumes and season. I'll tell you whether it can be imported, where to start and what the work will cost.