Lao noni fruit juice gets the thumbs-up in China
Lao noni fruit juice gets the thumbs-up in China
Nanning, Guangxi province: The Thipsavang Production Unit, which is renowned in Laos for its nam mak yor (noni fruit juice) and was recently awarded a ‘One District, One Product' (ODOP) plaque for its home-grown products, has also met with success in China.
The production unit was one of 80 businesses from Laos that displayed their wares at the 10th China-Asean Expo here last week.
Talking to Lao media at the event, juice maker Ms Buathip Homchandee said “This is the second year we've brought our products to sell at the Expo. We're quite satisfied with the feedback as a lot of visitors are lining up to taste our juice each day.”
The Expo, which aims to bolster the China-Asean Free Trade Area while sharing opportunities for cooperation and development in the region, took place from September 3-6 under the sponsorship of China's Ministry of Commerce and its counterparts in the 10 Asean member countries and the CAEXPO Secretariat.
The Thipsavang Production Unit is in the process of preparing to sign a contract with a Chinese dealer to sell noni juice.
“It's incredible that we've come to China many times to sell our products in various provinces; this event is even more exciting because of the large number of visitors showing interest in our fruit juice,” Ms Buathip said.
However, the event has not been without its challenges. Ms Buathip said they had encountered problems with transportation over such a long distance and some products had got damaged in shipment.
“We don't expect to make much of a profit from the goods we sell at the Expo, but the contract we're preparing with the Chinese dealer has huge potential for us in terms of future sales,” Ms Buathip said.
She pointed out that Laos was one of the smallest countries in the Asean region, so she was particularly proud to strike a deal with China.
Ms Buathip said her family began making noni juice in 2006. In those days, that was the only juice they bottled but now they're making 17 different drinks from noni, moringa and false tamarind juice.
The Expo booth displayed noni juice products worth 70 million kip to 80 million kip, though the prices were slightly different to what they sell for in Laos, Ms Buathip added.
Noni fruit is known for its many health benefits. It contains vitamin C, calcium, protein, magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene and all of the B vitamins. It has quite a strong smell and tastes slightly bitter, but is popular for its nutritional value.
The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce's Trade and Promotion Department recently presented a national certificate plaque in recognition of the product, in Phonsavang village, Chanthabouly district, Vientiane.
“These days noni juice is being increasingly recognised by overseas tasters. We're considering growing more of the fruit so we can boost output,” Ms Buathip added.
vientiane times
