Business Viability and Carbon Footprint of Thai-grown Nam Dok Mai Mango Powdered Drink Mix

Abstract This research analyzes the business feasibility of freeze-dried powdered drink mix from Thai-grown Nam Dok Mai (NDM) mango for exportation to the United States. Since food processing generates large quantities of greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming, the cradle-to-grave environmental impact of the mango powdered mix, specifically global warming potential (GWP), was determined using life cycle assessment. Based on the feasibility analysis, the mango powdered mix is thus positioned as a novelty for health-conscious and environmentally-concerned consumers because the product uses NDM mango fruits of premium quality as the main ingredient and carries a carbon footprint label on the packaging. A 50 g sachet of freeze-dried NDM mango powdered drink mix is priced at USD 7.80. The financial analysis showed that the mango drink mix possesses great business potential with high profitability. The environmental impact assessment identified the freeze drying process as the dominant contributor of GWP (15.40 kgCO2eq) due to high electricity consumption.