CHIANG RAI – On July 27, 2026, Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture opened the “Northern Fruit Connect 2026” expo at Lan Mueang Market in Chiang Rai. This major event connects local farmers from eight northern provinces with global buyers to boost crop sales and improve farming standards.
Thailand is shining a bright spotlight on its hardworking northern farmers this week. A major agricultural event just kicked off in the bustling province of Chiang Rai.
The “Northern Fruit Connect 2026” expo officially opened on July 27 at Lan Mueang Market. Mr. Jades Jantra, an official from the [suspicious link removed], led the grand opening ceremony. This busy event brings together local farmers, cooperative groups, and private businesses.
Key Takeaways:
- The week-long expo unites farmers from eight northern Thai provinces to sell unique local fruits directly to consumers.
- Government leaders aim to help farmers meet global export standards to supply high-demand markets like Japan.
- Visitors can enjoy fresh produce, business matching events, and daily discount sales until July 30, 2026.
Northern Thailand grows some of the country’s most impressive produce. The region’s unique climate creates fresh fruits with very distinct and delicious flavors. However, local farmers often struggle to reach bigger, more profitable markets.
Many growers find it hard to add value to their raw crops. They also lack strong connections with major buyers and food companies. The government wants to solve this problem through better networking and support.
Officials want farmers to adopt high-quality farming standards across the board. This will make their fruits safer and far more appealing to buyers. Meeting these strict rules is key to competing in the global market.

Connecting Farms to Global Buyers
The exciting event covers eight provinces, including Chiang Mai, Nan, and Mae Hong Son. These beautiful areas are major hubs for growing tropical fruit. The ultimate goal is to build a very strong regional supply chain.
Mr. Nirun Moonthida, a director for cooperative promotion, shared his positive vision. He explained that the expo features special business matching sessions. These meetings help farmers sell directly to large export companies.
This approach perfectly fits the government’s current market-led policy. By focusing on exactly what buyers want, farmers can earn a steady income. It also builds a much stronger local economy for everyone involved.
After the main ceremony, Mr. Jades spoke with reporters about future trade goals. He explained the urgent need to study local import demands. If farmers grow what the country usually imports, they will easily find eager buyers.
Visitors Can Buy Fresh Fruits from Growers
Increasing foreign exports is another huge focus for the ministry. For example, Japan wants to buy around 20,000 tons of bananas. Right now, Thailand only exports about 3,000 tons to the Japanese market.
The main problem is meeting strict quality rules during production. The ministry is now working hard to fix this huge gap. They are actively training farmers to meet these high foreign standards.
Government leaders toured the large expo to taste the local produce. They praised the unique flavors of northern longan and fresh durian. These popular fruits have special textures that tourists absolutely love.
The fruit expo runs until July 30, 2026, at Lan Mueang Market in the San Sai area. Visitors can buy fresh fruits directly from the friendly local growers. There are also live stage shows and fun activities every single day.
Bargain hunters should definitely look out for the special “Golden Minute” deals. Starting at 5:00 PM every day, lucky shoppers can find amazing discounts. It is a wonderful chance to support local farmers while saving money.
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