APEC Training Helps Improve Quality of Fresh Produce for Export
With the intention of improving market access for fresh produce exporters in the Asia-Pacific, an APEC seminar, to be held this week, to assist producers to increase awareness about quality standards prevailing in international markets.
The training course, 'Quality Management of Fresh Produce for Export Markets' will be held from October 3-12 at the Center of Excellence in Post-harvest Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Head of the Division of Post-harvest Technology and Associate Dean for Research and International Relations at KMUTT, Dr. Sirichai Kanlayanarat, said improving quality standards was key to exporting more fresh produce.
"If international quality standards were met it's likely that at least 20% more fresh produce could be exported from the region," Dr. Sirichai Kanlayanarat said.
"These increased exports offer greater economic benefits to both producers and consumers.
"Producers, especially those in the less developed APEC economies, could enjoy access to open markets while consumers in the importing economies enjoy quality fresh produce, especially out of season.
"With food production accounting for a significant portion of the Thai economy, we are hopeful that producers who meet international standards will have greater opportunity to access new markets.
"This seminar will impart the knowledge and skills participants need to respond better to current and future demands of the post-harvest industry, especially at the international level."
The seminar will focus on:
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Information on quality standards to ensure that food products meet WTO sanitary and phytosanitary requirements
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Developing and strengthening existing linkages between government, academe and industry
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Circulating information referring to quality standards of fresh produce
Delegates to the symposium include representatives from APEC Member Economies and international forums including processors and food exporters as well as specialists from research and academic institutions.
The symposium will be jointly hosted by the Centre of Excellence in Postharvest Technology and the Continuous Education Centre, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok with guest lecturers from the University of Western Sydney and the University of New South Wales.