Thailand and Netherlands Orchids Export Competitiveness Potential to The United States.

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the problems and obstacles and the relationship of orchid supply chains from Thailand and the Netherlands to the United States and 2) to study and compare RCA's competitiveness in exporting orchids from Thailand and the Netherlands. 3) To be a guideline for formulating a strategy to increase competitiveness in exporting Thai orchids to the United States This research was qualitative and quantitative. Interviewing 5 farmers, 2 middlemen, and 10 consumers using time series data during 2018 - 2022, including a period of 5 years, with data collected from various researchers and various agencies such as the Department of Agricultural Extension Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Office of Agricultural and Industrial Trade Promotion, and others to be used in the analysis of the apparent comparative advantage index (RCA) Results of the research 1) From the study of problems and obstacles and the relationship of orchid supply chains from Thailand and the Netherlands to the United States it was found that the problems from upstream to downstream were black rot disease, gut rot, thrips, and orchid lotus. Higher costs such as transportation costs, orchid storage costs, and labor costs 2) From the analysis of the apparent comparative advantage index (RCA) of orchid exports from Thailand and the Netherlands to the United States it was found that the average RCA of Thailand was greater than 1, meaning that there was an apparent comparative advantage. The average RCA of the Netherlands is less than 1, which means that there is a comparative disadvantage, and Thailand has a higher RCA than the Netherlands. Strategies to increase competitiveness in exporting Thai orchids to the United States As a result, three approaches can be found in strategic planning: ways to increase transport volumes; Guidelines for expanding export markets, and ways to increase production strengths.