Thailand plans to send approximately one million tons of durian, valued at around 130 billion baht, to other countries this year. Most of it will be purchased by China, as stated by Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao.
The agriculture minister has instructed the Fruits Board to hold a meeting with durian farmers, sorters, and cutters, along with entrepreneurs, sorting and packing plant operators, exporters, and the Agriculture and Agricultural Extension and Cooperative Promotion departments, in order to ensure that exported durian meets quality standards and China’s GAP requirements.
Thammanat has directed the Agriculture Department to improve quality control management and issue phytosanitary certificates to those involved in durian exports to China, including farmers, sorting and packing plants, and exporters who meet the criteria.
He has also instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to oversee the irrigation systems, ensuring adequate water for durian orchards in Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Trat provinces, which are key areas for durian production in Thailand.
The Agriculture Department has also been tasked with finding ways to lower the cost of fertilisers and pesticides for durian farmers, he added.
In relation to the smuggling of inexpensive durian from neighboring countries that is being exported as Thai durian, Thammanat stated that a special task force will directly address this issue to safeguard the reputation of Thai durian.
Rapeephat Chantarasriwong, director-general of the Agriculture Department, mentioned that over 64,000 hectares of durian orchards in the eastern provinces have registered with the Chinese customs office and obtained GAP certificates, which will ease the export of their durian to China.
