Bangkok--11 Jun--Tesco Lotus
Tesco Lotus is joining forces with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DoAE) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (MAAC) to give Thai farmers confidence in steady markets for their agricultural produce. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed under which Tesco Lotus will buy 5,500 tons of produce from farmers’ groups and agricultural cooperatives in the North and the South of Thailand without going through middlemen.
Tesco Lotus Senior Vice President Dr Darmp Sukontasap said. “We are aware of the situation of Thailand’s 14 million farmers, who are a crucial linchpin of Thai economy and society. In previous years, we have proved our commitment to farmers’ livings by helping them develop their produce in terms of quality and safety, and management of agricultural cooperatives. We have been able to give farmers a steady and fair income, while our customers nationwide can shop for quality agricultural produce at reasonable prices.
“Under this MoU, we plan to buy 1,440 tons of fresh longan from farmers’ groups in the North, as well as 2.050 tons of rambutan, 1,265 tons of Mangosteen and 750 tons of longgong from farmers’ groups in the South.
“In 2010, Tesco Lotus will buy 47,000 tons of seasonal fruit from Thai farmers worth 1.5 billion baht, not counting purchases of produce throughout the year totaling 180,000 tons, worth 2.5 billion baht,” concluded Dr Darmp.
Issued on behalf of Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., Ltd.
Operators of Tesco Lotus
For more details contact Phunthipra Tharaphibarn, Media Relations Manager
Martin Clutterbuck, Corporate Affairs Executive
Netsai Lakkananuwat. External Communications Executive
Tel 02 797 9000 ext 5849, 7779, 1782, 5560 Fax 02 797 9811