dentify the impediments impacting u

dentify the impediments impacting upon supply chains in Thailand, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam. Due to poor transport and infrastructure, fresh produce supply chains are much longer and include many more participants, significantly constraining the ability of the supply chain to convey accurate information or to return optimum prices to producers. To meet changing customers’ demands, farmers need to improve fruit quality. Not only is it essential to match the varieties farmers are growing to the environment and to their customers’ requirements, but more appropriate cultivation and marketing practices are necessary to improve and maintain fruit quality. However, as quality improvements often come at significant cost, it will only be sustainable if the market is willing to pay a higher price. Given that prices are ultimately determined by supply and demand, rewarding growers through higher prices can prove problematic.