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The two-year project is aimed to increase the organic fruit and vegetable farms and certified organic producers as well as to expand the export of Thai organic fruit and vegetable to international market, especially EU market by 20 per cent. It is expected that over 300 farmers will participate in the project.

 Wanlop Pichpongsa, president of Thai Organic Trade Association (TOTA), said "Organic product become very popular among consumers worldwide due to the concern of food safety and environment impact from chemical use. However, to enter the high value international market, Thai organic produces need to be certified according to international standard. Thailand's still cannot produce enough organic food for the market and many producers are not yet certified.

He said that this would help add the value to Thai fruit and vegetable and expand the export market in difficult economic situation.

To David Oberhuber, country director of German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), organic fruit and vegetable has potential in international market especially, in EU market where export of Thai organic produce is still very low. 

Despite the current sluggish economy, the organic market growth in EU continues to rise. The leader in terms of market size is Germany, where sales of organic food grew by 10 per cent in 2008 with the total market value of Bt266 billion (5.8 billion euro).

"Under the project, GTZ and TOTA will jointly organise seminars and trainings as well as provide in-depth consultancy to support organic farming to be in line with international standards.  The farmers will also be prepared for certified application and and joining international organic fairs.  TOTA's business matching role between sellers and buyers will also be strengthened. In addition, the project will help to collect research data and knowledge on the organic market development in order to assist stakeholders  in their work."