BANGKOK, Thailand – “Ratchaburi Nam Hom Coconut” has been officially registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) in the European Union, granting protection across all 27 EU member states and expanding access to premium markets. The registration affirms brand protection, enhances consumer confidence, and creates new trade opportunities for Thai agricultural products in high-value segments.
The application was submitted in 2023, and the European Union approved the registration on February 18, 2026. The EU is a key export destination for Thailand’s aromatic coconuts, with average annual export value exceeding 300 million baht. GI protection helps prevent misuse of the product name, supports importer confidence, and opens additional opportunities in markets such as the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Denmark.
Ratchaburi Nam Hom Coconut is the first GI product from Ratchaburi province to receive overseas protection, and the fifth Thai GI registered in the EU, following Thung Kula Rong-Hai Hom Mali Rice, Phatthalung Sangyod Rice, Doi Tung Coffee, and Doi Chang Coffee. The coconuts are cultivated in seven districts of Ratchaburi, where favorable soil and water conditions contribute to their distinctive pandan-like fragrance, thick but tender flesh, and year-round production.
In 2025, Ratchaburi produced about 550 million aromatic coconuts, generating 276 million baht in domestic sales and more than 5.24 billion baht in global exports. Thailand now has 11 GI products registered overseas across 33 countries, with continued efforts to expand international protection for agricultural goods and strengthen long-term income for local producers. (NNT)
