22-6-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s export of fresh durian has exceeded 470,000 tons in the first five months of this year, driven by its enduring popularity among Chinese consumers and the introduction of a faster trade route to China, according to a Thai government official on Thursday.
Anucha Burapachaisri, the deputy secretary-general to the prime minister and government spokesman, stated that more than 150,000 Thai durians have been transported to China through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. This newly established route has significantly reduced the transportation time from 8-10 days on previous sea-road routes to just 4 days. Not only does this shorter transit time reduce costs for Thai fruit exporters, but it also helps minimize damage during transportation.
Anucha further revealed that Thailand exported fresh durians worth over 110 billion baht (approximately 3.13 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, marking the highest durian export value in 30 years. This achievement can be attributed to several factors, including the improved transportation options, China’s effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the exceptional taste of Thai durians, and stringent quality control measures implemented throughout the supply chain.
The Thai government is urging relevant agencies to prioritize durian quality standards from the point of origin to the final destination. This emphasis on maintaining high-quality durians is crucial to sustain the positive reputation of Thai durians in international markets.
According to data from Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, China remains the largest export market for Thai durians, accounting for over 96 percent of the total export volume in the previous year.
Anucha also highlighted that Thailand emerged as China’s top fruit exporter in 2022, with over 4.9 billion dollars in revenue, showcasing a 3.72 percent growth compared to the previous year.
