Suphajee pushes Thai bananas in Japan market

Khaosod•Economy•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthamphanth visited Japan to promote Thai agricultural products and discuss exporting Thai bananas.

•Suphajee Suthamphanth visited AEON Narita and Kaewjai restaurant in Japan on July 18, 2026.
•Japan imports approximately 1 million tons of fresh bananas per year, with over 80 percent coming from ASEAN countries.
•The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) plans to bring Japanese importers to visit banana plantations in Thailand.

Overview

•On July 18, 2026, Suphajee Suthamphanth visited AEON Narita in Japan during a layover returning from trade negotiations with the United States.
•Suphajee Suthamphanth visited the Kaewjai restaurant in Chiba Province, which has held the Thai SELECT symbol for over 25 years.
•Japanese consumers showed high interest in Thai durian, mangosteen, pomelo, and Thai food and snacks.
•Suphajee Suthamphanth discussed the push for Thai banana exports with Pimjai Matsumoto and Nobuo Shirahama.
•Japan has a demand for approximately 1 million tons of fresh banana imports per year.
•Over 80 percent of Japan's fresh banana imports originate from ASEAN countries.
•The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) will lead Japanese importers to visit banana plantations to meet farmers and entrepreneurs.

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Key Entities

Person

Suphajee Suthamphanth(ศุภจี สุธรรมพันธุ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand.

Pimjai Matsumoto(พิมใจ มัตสึโมโต)

Honorary Trade Advisor (HTA) who discussed Thai banana exports with Suphajee Suthamphanth.

Nobuo Shirahama(โนบุโอะ ชิราฮามะ)

An expert in Japanese banana development who discussed Thai banana exports with Suphajee Suthamphanth.

Organization

AEON Narita(ห้างอิออน สาขานาริตะ)

A department store in Japan where Thai food and fruit promotion activities were held.

Kaewjai(แก้วใจ)

A Thai restaurant in Chiba Province that has provided authentic Thai food for over 25 years and received the Thai SELECT symbol.

Department of International Trade Promotion(กรมส่งเสริมการค้าระหว่างประเทศ)

The agency responsible for bringing Japanese importers to visit banana plantations in Thailand.

Place

Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️

The destination country for the trade promotion and banana export push.

United States(สหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

The country where Suphajee Suthamphanth conducted trade negotiations prior to visiting Japan.

Chiba Province(จังหวัดชิบะ)

The location of the Kaewjai restaurant in Japan.