Journey of Mae Hong Son Secrets
The journey of Mae Hong Son Secrets began with a request from Borramuth Thippakanok, then Director of the Cooperative Promotion Group, to help address the issue of avocado surplus in Mae Sariang and Sop Moei districts. Initially, the Chamber of Commerce in Mae Hong Son was involved in supporting farmers growing various crops like passion fruit, tomatoes, and small pumpkins.
After several years of efforts to assist these farmers, it became clear that avocado growers were also facing significant challenges. The main problems included low prices for avocados and unsold produce left to decay.
Inspired by advice from respected figures in the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the idea emerged to process the avocados into oil, specifically from the Hass variety, which is renowned for producing high-quality oil. The team began experimenting with the avocado oil, starting with trials on themselves, their mother, and their son. When the health benefits became evident, they decided to bring the product to market gradually.
Rather than aggressive advertising, they chose a more measured approach, introducing the product to people gradually and avoiding pushy sales tactics. This approach was based on their understanding of consumer aversion to direct sales methods, reflecting their own preferences.
The story of Mae Hong Son Secrets continues to unfold with promising developments. The positive feedback from initial users, including respected figures, friends, and family, demonstrated clear health benefits, leading to repeat purchases. A notable success was when a Korean customer staying at a hotel experienced significant health improvements, including better sleep and reduced cholesterol, which resulted in a distribution agreement for South Korea.
Support from various international networks has been instrumental, including contacts from the Australian Chamber of Commerce, friends in China, a relative in Hong Kong, and others who have helped promote the product. Additionally, wellness experts from Malaysia are interested in distributing the product in wellness centers there. These collaborations and positive outcomes reflect the growing recognition and success of the avocado oil, with hopes for a bright future for the product.
