Market prospects for upland crops in Thailand.
Itharattana K.
: xv + 104 pp.
Abstract : This study presents an analysis of domestic demand, market potential, market prospects and policy measures for upland crops in Thailand and suggests strategies for improving the markets and trade. The demand analysis covers the dietary pattern of Thai people during the 1980s, the demand composition of four commodities (maize, soyabeans, cassava, rice), the policies impacting on these commodities and their projected demand to the year 2001. The market potential analysis covers: (i) marketing channels, marketing constraints, external trade and export policy for the four commodities; (ii) the situation of emerging non-traditional commodities: longan, durian, mangosteen and baby corn; and (iii) case studies on successful (broilers, tomatoes, onions) and unsuccessful (mangoes, cashews, cotton) attempts to stimulate production and marketing. It is concluded that maize and soyabeans have good domestic demand prospects due to the expansion of the animal industry. Both commodities are expected to be imported to respond to domestic demand. Rice continues to have good demand outlook in both domestic and foreign markets. Cassava has good prospects in terms of use for starch but it is difficult for Thailand to expand the foreign market for cassava pellets and slices. Vegetables and fruits also have good market demand prospects.