NEO and VNU launch Horti ASIA 2012 to promote Thailand as ASEAN’s horticultural hub. The show offers excellent opportunity for Thai producers to capture a lucrative ASEAN market. In addition of being a showcase for horticultural technology, Horti ASIA 2012 will be a center stage to exhibit His Majesty the King’s agricultural initiative projects to celebrate his 84th Anniversary in 2012
Thailand – one of the leading countries where foods are produced to feed the world, especially horticultural production. In 2009, Thailand’s exporting value of agricultural products was at 1,128,060.6 million Baht which was ranked sixth in the world. During 2007-2009, the exporting of horticultural produces valued between 101,422-113,584 million Baht per year. The export value of fruit and vegetable crop was 70,347 million Baht. The important exporting fruits and vegetables are longan, durian, asparagus, and baby-corn with the export values of 2,193; 2,227; 1,796; and 1,675 million Baht, respectively.
Thailand however doesn’t grow alone. The country horticultural development is growing alongside with its ASEAN counterparts. As the region continues to undertake concerted efforts in the harmonization of quality and standards, assurance of food safety and standardization of trade certification in order to support economic integration and to enhance ASEAN competitiveness of agriculture and forestry products in the international markets. ASEAN had adopted the ASEAN Good Agricultural Practices (ASEAN GAP) for the production, harvesting, and post-harvest handling of fresh fruits and vegetables, and a number of standards for horticultural produce, namely ASEAN Standards for mango, pineapple, durian, papaya, pomelo, and rambutan.
In addition to bright outlook in the international market, regional business opportunity is huge. With the population of 577 million people and growing economy, demand for horticulture products in ASEAN is rising. According to statistics collected from ASEAN Trade Database, Intra-ASEAN trade for horticultural products stands at around 293 billion Baht in 2009.
“Bringing the region’s strong potentials into consideration, it is surprised that there is no central market for the region’s horticultural industry. Horti ASIA 2012 will then be the perfect marketplace serving the region’s horticultural industry in twofold. Firstly a central market for Thai horticulture producers to trade their products with ASEAN buyers, and secondly for ASEAN producers to trade with potential buyers from around the globe. However the initial focus will be among ASEAN+3 and ASEAN+6. At the same time, the show will be a technological showcase for latest technology and business solutions where horticulture producers can search for solutions to improve competitive advantages and productivity,” according to Mrs. Ladda Mongkolchaivivat, General Manager, N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer Co., Ltd., the organizer of Horti ASIA 2012 together with VNU Exhibitions Europe – one of the world leading exhibition organizers. The show will take place during 9-11 May 2012 at BITEC, Bangkok,
It should be noted that Horti ASIA 2012 will be the first event of its kind in Thailand and ASEAN region. With its strategic and central location, Bangkok is best serve at central market for ASEAN horticulture industry. It will also strengthen Thailand’s role as the horticultural hub in ASEAN. Most importantly Thai framers will greatly benefit from the presence of the latest and most advanced horticultural technologies from world leaders. The show’s component is comprised of a) how to produce, b) all kinds of fresh produces, and c) logistics, post-harvest, and further processing.
“We expect that the first edition of Horti ASIA will welcome 250 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors from Thailand and around the region,” said Mrs. Mongkolchaivivat adding that Horti ASIA 2012 will be a platform for technological transfer that will fasten agricultural development within the region. “We hope that with access to modern technology and innovation, it will help Thai farmers and exporters to improve their production standard as well as competiveness in the world market.”
She adds that, “more importantly Horti ASIA 2012 will be the center stage to showcase His Majesty the King’s initiative projects and agricultural works to the world to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 84th Anniversary. We will allocate about 200 square meters to exhibit His Majesty the King’s projects. So, we would like to invite everyone to be part and be the host of this Horti ASIA 2012”.
Horti ASIA 2012 is supported by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Department of Agricultural Extension, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), Horticultural Science Society of Thailand, and Thai Fruit and Vegetable Producer Association.
For more information about Horti ASIA 2012, which will take place on 9-11 May 2012 at BITEC, Bangkok, please contact N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer (NEO) at +66 2 203 4260-4 or [email protected] or [email protected] or visit www.hortiasia.net
