She said it would also help the marketing and packaging development for products.

“The world market value of organic is worth US$72 billion (Bt2.3 trillion) and grows at an average rate of about 12.8 per cent each year,” she said.

“Yet, Thai products have still gained a less than 1-per-cent market share. The country, as an agricultural-based country, should focus on promoting organic farm crops and develop these products so that Thailand can become a centre of organic products growing and trading in theAsean and Asian regions.”

The United States, Germany, and France are three leading exporters of organic produce, respectively.

Asia has 23 million rai (3.7 million hectares) of land for growing organic products, or about 10 per cent of the total production area worldwide.

China has the most following by India.

Thailand is ranked eighth in the global market, and fourth in Asean.

Australia has the biggest area of land for growing organic products, following by Argentina and the United States, while India has the most people who grow organic products, following by Uganda, and Mexico.

Thailand has 3.7 square kilometres for growing organic crops. About 7,000 farmers are involved in organic farming, and they produce 80,000 tonnes of produce annually.

Thailand has the potential to export organic food worth about $135 million each year. Its major export markets are to the European Union, the US, and Singapore.

Apiradi said that Thailand could expand the growing area for organic crops and increase the supply to serve rising demand in the world market.

Under the five-year plan, four strategies will be focused on including a plan to increase the segment’s recognition among products, traders, and consumers, and a plan to support the country launching an organic certification and standard for farming.

There is also a plan to increase distribution channels for domestic trading and expand markets overseas, as well as promoting the segment via online marketing.