Improvement on the supply chain of Thai mango for exporting

Mango is one of the most important fruit crops in Thailand with the highest cultivated area in 2016 of 340,800 ha and a production of 3.13 million t. Most of the mango productions were used for domestic consumption (97.7%) and only 2.3% for export. Commercial cultivars are 'Nam Dok Mai', 'Khiao Sawoei', 'Chok Anan', 'Maha-Chanok', 'Kaeo' and 'Pha Rung'. Around 75% of mango growers were smallholders and did not cope with the standard requirement for the production of high quality fruit. There were a lot of poor quality fruits which were not reaching marketing standard. The production's problems were: many sub-standard grade fruit, unsuitable cultural practices, high cost of production and transportation. The supply chain of mango for export in the eastern part of Thailand (Chachoengsao, Sakaeo and Chantaburi provinces) was conducted during 2009-2013 in which 221 good agricultural practice (GAP) farmers were interviewed and some technologies were developed during production. The results were found that traditional farms met standard grade fruits less than modern farms which were 15-20 and 20-60%, respectively. Production technologies such as fruit thinning, fruit bagging, irrigation during fruit development, harvesting at the optimum maturity, controlling mango fruit fly, using foam net packaging during transportation from farm to collector's packaging house as well as fungicide and/or hot water treatment for disease control were developed. All of these activities increased standard grade fruits. The quality management models of mango for exporting were developed of which all the players in the chain - including growers, collectors, exporters and their support groups - should follow the recommendations. At present, Thai mangoes are available all year round which supports market demand. These successful tasks were accomplished by the well-organized Thai Mango Growers Association, a joint venture of growers, the Department of Agriculture (DOA), the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), chemical companies and exporters.