The International Seminar on Consumer Trends and Export of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits, a collaboration between TFNet, (Agricultural and Food Markeitng Association for Asia and the Pacific (AFMA), Department of Agriculture and Department of Agricultural Extension, of Thailand was successfully held on 14 - 16 July 2008 at the Century Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.


The seminar began with an official opening by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Chakarn who represented the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Cooperative, Thailand. There were 15 papers presented in five sessions and a keynote address delivered during the seminar. Prof. Dr. David Hughes from Imperial College, London, England delivered the keynote address which was entitled 'Exploiting Health and Well Being Trends: Growing Markets for Tropical and Sub-tropical Fruits in High Income Countries'.

The seminar was attended by 122 participants from various government agencies, the private sector, international organizations, researchers and students mainly from Thailand and Malaysia with others from Japan, India, Belgium, New Zealand and Indonesia.

Papers presented were as follows:

Exploiting Health and Well-Being Trends: Growing Markets for Tropical and Sub-Tropical Fruits in High Income Countries
Dr. David Hughes, Imperial College , England

Changing consumer trends and the global demand and supply of tropical and subtropical fruits.
Mr. Kaison Chang, Senior Economist, ( Secretary, FAO Sub-Group on Tropical Fruits), FAO, Rome

Challenges to enhance exports of tropical fruit: The role of research
Dr. Errol Hewett, Massey Unversity, New Zealand

Global Trends in the Demands for Tropical Fruits Products in the Export Trade
Kit Chan , K-Farm , Malaysia

Organic Tropical and Subtropical Fruits Production - Prospects and Challenges
Dr. Sisir Kumar Mitra, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India

Market Trend and Production Challenge of Organic Tropical and Subtropical Fruits
Mr. Vitoon Panyakul, Green Net , Thailand

Thai mango export: A slow-but-sustainable development.
Dr. Narong Chomchalow and Mr. Prem Na Songkhla ( Thailand )

The importation of banana and mango into Japan - the Thailand experience
Mr. Kenji Masaki, President, Otento (Thaiand)

The role of Cooperatives in ensuring quality exports of tropical fruits to Japan
Mr. Yoshimaru Kozama, Director, Thoto Cooperative, Japan

Tailoring the exports of mango from India to the Japanese market
Dr. H.P. Singh, ICAR, India

Supply of quality and safe tropical fruits through an efficient supply chain
Mr. Azizi Meor Ngah, Malaysian AgriFood Bhd.

Traceability: Key to safety, quality and productivity
Khairuddin Md. Tahir, FoodReg, Malaysia

The nutrition and functional aspects of tropical fruits
Prof. Fransiska Zakaria, Bogor Agricultural University

The nutrition and health benefits of tropical fruits with special reference to red pitaya
Dr. Rokiah Mohd. Yusof. University Putra Malaysia

Minimally process fruits: Future concept for exporting tropical fruits
Latifah Mohd. Noor, MARDI, Malaysia

Novel edible coating for tropical fruits as an alternative synthetic fungicide
Dr. Asgar Ali, University of Nottingham , Malaysian Branch

The 2 day oral presentation was followed by a field visit to the CP Group Mango and Pomelo Farm at Panus Nikhom, Chonburi province. Participants were also briefed on the operations of a vacuum heat treatment facility at the farm. Participants were later brought to visit the Aor Tor Kor Standards and Quality market in Bangkok which retails packaged, clean, quality and safe fresh and processed local agricultural produce.