Supply chain management of golden banana (Kluai Khai) for export at Chantaburi Province, Thailand

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Publication Details

Author list: Sangudom T., Wasusri T., Wongs-Aree C., Srilaong V., Kanlayanarat S.

Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)

Publication year: 2012

Volume number: 943

Start page: 249

End page: 254

Number of pages: 6

ISBN: 9789066050204

ISSN: 0567-7572

eISSN: 2406-6168

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863643551&doi=10.17660%2fActaHortic.2012.943.33&partnerID=40&md5=e0f003396b7533f057ba5617a7f3933e

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

Golden banana, locally known as Kluai Khai, is produced in Chantaburi province, a major growing area east of Thailand, for export mainly to China. Production and postharvest management practices in supply chain were investigated from October 2009-May 2010 through structured interview of farmers and collectors in five districts of the province; Makham, Pong-Nam-Ron, Tha-Mai, Khao-Kitchagut and Klung. It was found that Kluai Khai was grown as intercrop in fruit orchards. Plant density was approximately 937-1,562 plants per hectare, depending on the spacing of the main fruit crop. Average yield was 1 ton per rai (1 rai=0.16 ha). Two to three suckers were usually allowed to grow per mother plant. Fruit bunches were not treated with chemical before bagging, and were harvested when fruit angularity was 3/4 light full. Harvested fruit bunches were sold to the collectors. The produce were sorted into two grades, standard grade and understandard grade or off-grade. About 60-70% of the total production met the standard grade while the rest were off-grade due to insect pest and disease damage and/or undersized fruits. Fruits that met the standard were subjected to postharvest operations conducted by the collectors. Fruit hands were graded into three sizes; AAA, AA and A, before packing into cardboard boxes. The boxes were then loaded onto a refrigerated truck with temperature of 13-14ฐC. These operations usually took 8-12 hours. For off-grade fruits, they were sold locally and to wholesale markets in Bangkok and other provinces. Price of off-grade fruits was 8-10 times lower than that of standard grade fruits.

Keywords

Banana, Good agriculture practice, Kluai Khai, Postharvest handling, Quality, Supply chain management (SCM)