SOURCE: Naewna
TRANSLATION: Freshplaza
Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade has partnered with Go Wholesale, a major food ingredient wholesaler under Central Retail, to support local fruit farmers and promote domestic consumption. This collaboration is part of the government’s broader strategy to stabilise fruit prices and raise farmer incomes, as reported in a Naewna article.
Between October 2024 and May 2025, Go Wholesale procured over 125 tons of fruit worth approximately $135,000 directly from farmers under standard contracts with the Department of Internal Trade. Key fruits included mangosteen, pineapple, rambutan, longan, lychee, and santol.
A key part of the initiative is the “GO Food Delivers Smiles” campaign. It offers discounted fruit such as mangosteen at around $0.70/kg and longan at about $1.25/kg at Go Wholesale’s 13 branches. For every kilogram sold, $0.03 is donated to school lunch programs in communities near Go Wholesale outlets.
Running until October 31, 2025, the campaign features popular fruits like green melon, cantaloupe, Holland papaya, and a variety of bananas. The dual focus on supporting farmers and contributing to school nutrition underscores the initiative’s social and economic impact.