Thailand is preparing to resume durian exports to China by Monday, as safety certification processes near completion. Deputy Agriculture Minister Itthi Sirilatthayakorn announced that contamination tests for Basic Yellow 2 (BY2), a potentially harmful additive, are almost finalized to ensure the safety of the fruit.
Laboratories are expected to certify durian shipments for export within 48 hours. If cleared, exports to China will restart in time to meet demand during the Lunar New Year season, boosting sales of southern Thailand’s durian crop, Mr. Itthi stated.
The Department of Agriculture and related authorities have assured that any durian rejected by China will not enter the domestic market. Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives discovered the use of BY2 in durian packing plants operated by a Chinese-backed investment group in Chumphon province. These plants were ordered to stop using the unregistered substance, but follow-up inspections revealed continued violations, prompting further action.
Recent delays occurred after durian shipments were rejected at Nanning Airport in China due to insufficient documentation certifying they were free of BY2. Authorities are now addressing these issues to streamline the process.
Thai durian remains highly sought after in China, with exports valued at 90 billion baht in 2023—a significant 82% increase from the previous year. China accounted for 70% of Thailand’s total durian exports, underscoring the importance of ensuring compliance with export standards.
Get comprehensive supply chain report news updates at The Supply Chain Report. For international trade tools, see ADAMftd.com.
#ThaiDurian #GlobalTrade #ExportStandards #AgricultureNews #ChinaImports
