Chiang Rai province is the largest tea production and Arabica coffee cultivation area in Thailand. To promote Chiang Rai Province as a major tea and coffee destination in Thailand, the Tea and Coffee Institute of Mae Fah Luang University in collaboration with Food Innopolis, Chiang Rai Province and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau organised the Tea and Coffee International Symposium 2019 and ASEAN +6 on Tea and Coffee Business Summit at Mae Fah Luang University from the 10th to the12th of July, 2019.
The symposium was held as part of the celebrations of MFU’s 20th anniversary and celebrations of Tea Institute’s 15th anniversary. Moreover, the Tea and Coffee International Symposium 2019 was one of the activity under “Chiang Rai Tea and Coffee Festival 2019” jointly organised by Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Association of Northern Tourism Federation in Chiang Rai, Chiangrai Coffee Lovers, and Thai AirAsia.
This symposium was held under the theme “Processing, Marketing and Sustainability” with an aim to be a forum for experts, researchers, students and entrepreneurs from all over the world to discuss all aspects of tea and coffee production including quality, sustainability, marketing, processing, retail operations, and tourisms. The symposium also offered an opportunity for participants to collaborate with other researchers from around the world.
In addition, the symposium provided recommended selections from over 30 tea and coffee shops in Thailand and abroad as well as the adjoining activities including workshops, exhibition, and “ASEAN+6 on the Tea and Coffee business and Summit” for reviewing the current status of tea and coffee in each country.
Altogether, the symposium shows the active collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting Chiang Rai Province as a hub of tea and coffee. The meaningful discussion and extensive research network developed in the event will help create a competitive advantage and progressive development for the Thai tea and coffee industry.
