Abstract:
Plastic laminated paper carton for use in aseptic packaging system with UHT processing technique is currently monopoly business and still has to be imported into Thailand. This packaging material has been launched in Thai market since 1978 in UHT milk products. Afterwards it has been penetrated into fruit juice, vegetable juice and soybean milk products respectively. The purpose of studying market situation of plastic laminated paper carton compose of (1) to study market demand and future trends (2) to study food manufacturers, retailers and consumers attitude toward this packaging (3) to study problems which are faced by food manufacturers and (4) to study factors which effect marketing failure of some products packed in plastic laminated paper carton. There are three areas of respondents from this study in which are currently engaged to plastic laminated paper carton. Food manufacturers, retailers and end users are individually subjected to be our interviewees. Response of this survey come from all packers using this type of packaging material and 300 structured interview samples of retailers and consumers by convenience sampling. The outcomes of this research showed that the demand of plastic laminated paper carton had continuously grown from 10 million cartons in 1978 to 235 million cartons in 1986 and expected to reach 407.2 and 536.8 cartons in 1991 and 1997 respectively. For manufacturers attitude it was found that all manufacturers accepted this packaging with the following important reasons (1) convenience in manufacturing and handling (2) long product shelf life (3) consumer convenience and etc. For retailers aspect it was found that 56% of retailer enjoyed with profit received from selling products packed in this packaging and 90.7% accepted this packaging in term of long shelf life without refrigeration required and selling convenience, etc. For consumers attitude it was found that 92.7% accepted this packaging with the reason of convenience in both carrying and using including long shelf life and etc. Problems facing manufacturers were found to similar which could be categorized as follows: (1) too expensive packaging material (2) unsterile products (3) leakage problem and (4) deformation of the packs. It was also found factors which affected marketing failure of fruit and vegetable juices packed in plastic laminated paper carton as follows. Government tax policy for both import duties of packaging material and excise tax caused high cost. Retail pricing mistake. Inferior product quality. Many substituted products that are available locally and cheaper price such as fresh fruits and vegetables, relative low priced soft drink products.