The Logistics Cost Analysis for Mulberry Fruit Supply Chains in Nan Province

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the logistic cost of fresh mulberry supply chains from fruit collecting points at Nan Province to Bangkok via public buses and airplanes. The interviews were conducted to collect the data from mulberry farmers. The farmers were classified according to locations, the high land farmers had the average production cost of 12.17 Baht/kg., while that of the low land farmers was 8.39 Baht/kg. The average cost of mulberries production (high and low lands) was 12.00 Baht/kg. Furthermore, the GAP certified farmers had the average production cost of 11.5 Baht/kg., whereas 12.75 Baht/kg. of production cost was found from the non-GAP certified farms. The logistics management cost of the major aggregators, namely Firm A, Firm B, and Firm C were 9.58, 11.70, and 31.82 Baht/kg., respectively. These variations could be due mainly to the differences in numbers of farmers, amount of mulberry, and post-harvest management costs. For transportation cost from Phuphayak District to Bangkok by public buses (15 hr duration) with non-refrigerated control was ca. 71.82 Baht/kg., whilst transportation with temperature controlled packages costed 84.07 Baht/kg. Logistics costs by air with- and without temperature controlled packages were 175.24 and 108.66 Baht/kg.,respectively which took approximately 7 hr to destination.