Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives expects increased production of six major fruits in 2025, led by durian and lychee. The forecast was presented during the first meeting of the 2025 Agricultural Product Production Volume Quality Development Committee on April 9, 2025.
Durian production is projected at 1.68 million tons, up 30.7% from 2024. The productive area has expanded by 11.2% to 1.27 million rai, and yield is expected to rise 17.5% to 1,329 kg/rai. This is attributed to maturing trees planted in 2020, particularly in Central and Southern provinces, favorable weather, and improved orchard management.
Longan production is estimated at 1.57 million tons, an increase of 10.8%. Yield is expected at 956 kg/rai, supported by cool weather and improved care driven by high prices last year. Newly planted trees in the North and Northeast are entering production for the first time.
Mangosteen yield is forecast to jump 35.1% to 407,634 tons despite a 1.4% decrease in productive area. Poor prices in previous years led some farmers to switch to higher-value crops. However, healthier trees and improved weather are expected to result in higher yields per rai (1,037 kg, up 37.2%).
Rambutan production is forecast at 229,315 tons, up 13.5%, even as productive area declines 3.4%. Trees benefited from consistent rainfall and a year of rest after poor flowering in 2024. Yield per rai is projected at 1,325 kg.
Longkong (langsat) area is expected to shrink 5.1% to 144,425 rai due to persistently low prices. Yet, production is set to increase by 11% to 52,480 tons, as favorable weather supports flowering, particularly in the South.
Lychee production is expected to surge by 161% to 36,451 tons, despite a 5.1% drop in productive area. Yield per rai will rise sharply from 168 kg to 463 kg, thanks to extended cold weather that improved flowering. Farmers have increasingly replaced lychee with crops like durian, avocado, and mango due to past poor yields.
To support these trends, the Ministry has designated the Fruit Board to oversee national management, with each province operating under its own committee aligned with the 2022–2027 Thai Fruit Development Plan.
Qualitative strategies include promoting GAP and GI standards, enhancing fruit quality, raising domestic consumption, and strengthening market links.
Quantitative strategies involve yield forecasting, managing seasonal supply, collecting area-based production data, and aligning output with demand.
The development plan focuses on five pillars: improving production systems, boosting competitiveness through innovation, ensuring equity among farmers, supporting sustainable practices, and enhancing export and logistics networks.
Source: ANN