To facilitate the trade of value-added agricultural projects, Thailand is going ahead with the THB 350 million (USD 11.5 million) Eastern Fruit Corridor project. In this context, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on the Setting Up of the Blast Freezer and Cold Storage System was recently signed between the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), and PTT Group.
The tripartite cooperation comprises the following:
- PTT will invest in the setting up of the 4,000 tons advanced cold storage facilities employing Blast freezer technology in order to preserve the quality of products as if they were just harvested from the orchards. The cold storage system will maintain the fruits’ quality for year-round sale, precluding the need to rush to collect, sell and deliver the products as is the current practice.
- IEAT will provide 40 rai of land located in the Smart Park industrial estate in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, to serve the project.
- EECO will be responsible for laying down the administrative structure and coordinating with concerned parties to manage the project.
The Eastern Fruits Economic Corridor project is to commence with the durian fruit, a Thai bestseller, as well as other fruits and seafood.
The development of cold storage capabilities is one of the Eastern Fruits Economic Corridor project’s key components. Other components include establishing a modern trading system based on e-commerce and e-auction and investing in a packing system that utilizes natural materials optimal for air transport.
(Sources: Eastern Economic Corridor Office; Asia Fruit)
