Increasing the potential of air orchid exports in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to 1. analyze the problems and obstacles in air orchid export in Thailand, 2. study the operation of air orchid export in Thailand, and 3. find ways to increase the potential of air orchid export in Thailand. This research was qualitative. Key informants included 3 orchid export entrepreneurs, 3 transport agents involved in the orchid export business, and 3 marketers, totaling 9 people (all of whom had at least 7 years of experience in air freight). The tools used were structured interviews and content analysis. The research results found that:
Problems and obstacles in air orchid export in Thailand It was found that currently, consumption behavior in foreign markets is quite diverse. Consumers demand quality orchids or new orchid species, causing entrepreneurs to maintain production standards and develop new species. Factors that reduce the quality of orchid exports include the spread of diseases in orchids, such as black rot, leaf spot, and yellow leaf spot, etc., the problem of orchid rot when subjected to inappropriate temperatures, and the problem of agricultural labor shortages.
Methods for air orchid export in Thailand found that 1. Exporters should give importance to the transportation of orchids from the garden to the packing house to select, grade and carry out pest control procedures. 2. Cooling process to make orchids fresh, strong, quality and insect-free, as well as a cooling system that controls both temperature and humidity in both the packaging and transportation to the airport. 3. Documents requesting a CITES permit from the Department of Agriculture by bringing the orchids to be exported for inspection. 4. Technological readiness of employees from upstream to downstream processes. Guidelines for increasing the potential of air orchid exports in Thailand found that guidelines for preventing factors that reduce the quality of orchid exports from the problem of disease outbreaks in orchids, using technology to help manage the orchid care system and using scientific knowledge to improve orchid varieties to create new strains that can resist epidemics in orchids, the problem of orchid rot when subjected to inappropriate temperatures, training employees on how to transport orchids, what temperature should be used to be appropriate and help maintain the freshness of orchids throughout the transportation, and using lightweight, strong, and durable waterproof coated paper packaging materials for air transportation, and the problem of labor shortages in the agricultural sector, using technology or artificial intelligence. To cope with the insufficient labor for work and to train employees to increase their skills and create readiness before starting work.