Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The US has for the first time allowed Thailand toexport its pomelo to the country, as Thailand eyes more markets for itsdelicious fruit.
Thailand has shipped its first batch of pomelo tothe US, following a new agreement allowing the exportof four pomelo varieties from Thailand to the US market.
The first batch, which included Thong Dee, Khao Yai,Khao Namphueng, and Khao Tangkwa varieties, was featured atSawasdee DC Thai Festival on July 2-4 in Washington DC, to celebrate the USIndependence Day and the Thailand-US diplomatic relations. The fruit wasshipped together with other Thai fruits such as mango and mangosteen, weighing864 kilogrammes in total. This shipment was dispatched on June 26.
Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri saidcaretaker Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha admired this success, whichhelps broaden international markets for Thai produce.
The US Departmentof Agriculture requires pomelo exported from Thailand to be treated with gammairradiation at the dosage of 400 Gray for three hours. Thisprocess is performed at Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology. The exportedfruits are also required to be sorted and processed at authorized facilities.
Thailand is currently allowed to export eight kinds offruits to the US, namely mango, lychee, longan, pineapple,mangosteen, dragonfruit, rambutan, and pomelo. The Department of Agriculturecurrently has a guideline to help private firms reduce cost and increase thevolume of each batch of export. If successful, this guideline could be a toolfor businesses to apply commercially./.
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Illustrative image (Photo: PRD) 
