On July 18–19, 2025, Ms. Sucharee Picha, Director of the Office of Agricultural Economics Region 1, along with staff from the Agricultural Information Division, conducted a field visit to monitor the production and marketing situation of longan from large-scale farming groups in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces.
Production Situation:
The field inspection revealed that large-scale longan farming groups, including the Nong Tong group in Hang Dong District, the Chomphu Subdistrict group in Saraphi District (Chiang Mai Province), and the Tha Khum Ngoen group in Mae Tha District (Lamphun Province), have made notable progress in improving production quality. They have adopted GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards in line with large-scale farming principles, resulting in better fruit quality and larger fruit sizes.
To reduce production costs, these groups have encouraged members to produce and use their own organic compost, integrate biological agents, and use chemical fertilizers more efficiently. As for yield improvement, some groups have reported an increase in production of 200–500 kilograms per rai. Regarding quality development, all inspected plots have achieved 100% GAP certification.
However, some areas are still experiencing outbreaks of rust spots, downy mildew, and fruit cracking or dropping, mainly due to high humidity and prolonged rainfall. The dense tree canopies and short, curled leaves have led to fruit rot and drop. Farmers are therefore advised to regularly inspect their orchards to maintain fruit quality and ensure market confidence is not affected.
Marketing Situation (as of July 19, 2025):
As of this date, longan production during the 2025 season from the eight northern provinces has entered the market, totaling 108,175.70 tons. In Chiang Mai and Lamphun, the average purchase prices for fresh longan are as follows:
• Size AA: 15–16 baht/kg
• Size A: 7–8 baht/kg
• Size B: 4 baht/kg
• Size C: 0.50–1 baht/kg
Most of the longan currently on the market falls into sizes A and B. Large-scale farming groups primarily sell their produce through online platforms, modern trade channels, and export markets, fetching prices around 30–33 baht/kg. Some quantities are also processed into dried longan according to quotas allocated by the Northern Dried Longan Association.
Long-term Solutions:
To sustainably address challenges faced by farmers, efforts should be made to encourage the formation of more large-scale longan farming groups. Grouping helps improve production quality, ensures higher yields with larger fruits that meet GAP standards, and enhances market demand. Such groups can negotiate their own prices and secure better returns. However, at present, members of large-scale longan farming groups still represent only a small fraction compared to the total number of smallholder longan growers.
