The Nam Hom coconut of Ratchaburi province has been registered as a Geographic Indication (GI) product in the European Union market, which will help increase opportunities to export this unique coconut to 27 EU member countries, according to Lalida Periswiwatana, deputy spokesperson of the PM’s Office.
She said that the designation of GI status in the EU marks an important step in Thailand’s upgrading of its agricultural produce in the European market and enhances the confidence of consumers.
She attributed the success to the efforts of the Department of Intellectual Property Rights to boost the grass root economy through the promotion of Thailand’s GI products, in parallel with an emphasis on quality control and online and offline marketing support.
Thailand applied for the European Union GI registration of Nam Hom coconut in 2023 and the approval was granted on February 18th this year.
Exports of the coconut to the EU, mainly to the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Ireland and Denmark, are estimated to be worth an average of 300 million baht per year.
The Nam Hom coconut is the fifth GI product listed in EU market. The others are Thung Kula Ronghai Hom Mali rice, the Sung Yod rice of Phatthalung, Doi Tung coffee and Doi Chang coffee.
In 2025, Ratchaburi produced about 550 million coconuts of various varieties. Total export value was about 5.2 billion baht.
The Nam Hom coconut trees are grown in Muang, Damnoen Saduak, Wat Phieng, Ban Pong, Bang Phae, Pak Tho and Photharam districts and their fruit is unique for its aromatic water, soft and gelatinous flesh and sweetness.
