Mae Klong Coconut Sugar: New GI Product for High Value

Prachachat•Economy•24d ago

Reader Briefing

Mae Klong Coconut Sugar has officially received Geographical Indication (GI) status, aiming to enhance its market value and boost the local economy.

•Mae Klong Coconut Sugar from Samut Songkhram has been registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) product.
•The product is noted for its sweet, fragrant, and rich taste, stemming from traditional wisdom and its unique Samut Songkhram environment.
•The registration aims to elevate community products and create sustainable economic value, with current production exceeding 107 million kg annually, generating 129 million THB.
•The Department of Intellectual Property plans comprehensive promotion, including quality control, modern packaging, market development, and international expansion.

Overview

•The Department of Intellectual Property announced the GI registration of 'Mae Klong Coconut Sugar,' a key signature product of Samut Songkhram Province.
•The registration aims to elevate community products and create sustainable economic value, by highlighting the product's unique characteristics.
•Mae Klong Coconut Sugar is famous for its sweet, fragrant, and rich taste, derived from traditional processes in the Samut Songkhram area, known as the 'Three Waters City' (fresh, salt, brackish), resulting in mineral-rich, clay-sand soil ideal for coconuts.
•Mae Klong Coconut Sugar currently has an annual production volume exceeding 107 million kilograms, generating an economic value of 129 million THB for Samut Songkhram Province.
•The GI registration covers various forms of the product: fresh coconut flower sap, coconut sugar blocks, syrup, and powder.
•The traditional production process involves bending and tapping coconut flower spathes, using Payom or Kiem wood tubes to collect sap and prevent spoilage without chemicals, followed by heat-controlled simmering.
•Mae Klong Coconut Sugar is promoted as a healthier natural sweetener option for consumers and a versatile ingredient for the food industry, including savory dishes, desserts, bakery, and beverages.
•The Department of Intellectual Property will implement a comprehensive promotion plan, focusing on quality control systems, modern packaging, market knowledge enhancement for entrepreneurs, and exploring export markets.

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Key Quotes

Oranont Thawitthamm

"The Ministry of Commerce, through the Department of Intellectual Property, has announced the GI registration of 'Mae Klong Coconut Sugar,' a key signature product of Samut Songkhram Province, to elevate community products and sustainably increase economic value."

กระทรวงพาณิชย์ โดยกรมทรัพย์สินทางปัญญา ได้ประกาศขึ้นทะเบียนสิ่งบ่งชี้ทางภูมิศาสตร์ หรือ GI “น้ำตาลมะพร้าวแม่กลอง” สินค้าอัตลักษณ์สำคัญของจังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม เพื่อยกระดับผลิตภัณฑ์ชุมชนและสร้างมูลค่าเพิ่มทางเศรษฐกิจอย่างยั่งยืน

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Intellectual Property(กรมทรัพย์สินทางปัญญา)ℹ️

The organization that announced the GI registration for Mae Klong Coconut Sugar and plans its promotion.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The ministry under which the Department of Intellectual Property operates, involved in the GI registration of Mae Klong Coconut Sugar.

Law

Mae Klong Coconut Sugar(น้ำตาลมะพร้าวแม่กลอง)

A locally produced coconut sugar from Samut Songkhram that has been officially registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) product.

Place

Samut Songkhram(สมุทรสงคราม)ℹ️

The province where Mae Klong Coconut Sugar originates and which is noted for its unique 'Three Waters City' environment.

Person

Oranont Thawitthamm(อรมน ทรัพย์ทวีธรรม)

The Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property who announced the GI registration of Mae Klong Coconut Sugar.