BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is enhancing trade cooperation and promoting the export of Thai pomelos and all mango varieties to Japan.
Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperatives Winarot Sapsongsuk welcomed Yukitoshi Noro, Vice Governor of Mie Prefecture, Japan, and his delegation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on January 16, 2026. The meeting was attended by Deputy Permanent Secretary Narumon Sanguanwong and representatives from relevant agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Department of Cooperative Promotion, the Department of Fisheries, the Office of Agricultural Economics, and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards.
The Permanent Secretary stated that the discussion offered an opportunity to strengthen ties with Mie Prefecture, a major agricultural and food-producing region in Japan. He emphasized that prefectural-level cooperation would complement existing national frameworks, such as the Japan–Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), and broaden collaboration in economic, social, cultural, and trade areas.
The Vice Governor of Mie proposed a fruit exchange initiative, which the Ministry considered a constructive way to expand market access for Thai fruit exports to Japan. Relevant departments will continue discussions on technical and operational details.
Both sides agreed to work closely to promote agricultural products and facilitate cross-border trade, with a focus on mandarin oranges from Mie Prefecture, Thai pomelos, and all mango varieties. Mie Prefecture also expressed its readiness to work with national agencies to help bring Thai pomelos and mangoes to the Japanese market in the future. (NNT)
