Thailand is set to export fresh mangosteen to Japan as the government is expected to remove an import ban on the fruit soon, Thai Ambassador Kasit Piromya said Friday.
The fruit could be available to Japanese consumers as early as next month, according to the ambassador.
Japan currently bans imports of fresh mangosteen to prevent the entry of harmful insects. Only frozen mangosteen is imported into Japan.
With the Thai government urging Japan to expand imports of tropical fruits, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry is expected to lift the ban on condition that thorough insect measures are taken, the Thai ambassador said.
Mangosteen, grown in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, tastes sweet but is slightly acidic. Thailand expects the fruit to be popular in Japan.