16-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s durian exports to China have experienced a remarkable surge of 365% in the first five months of this year, driven by the shorter transit time and trade advantages facilitated by the China-Laos Railway, according to reports from Thai media on Tuesday.
The introduction of the train route has opened up significant opportunities for Thai products to enter the lucrative Chinese market. Auramon Supthaweethum, the director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, highlighted that the transit time has been dramatically reduced to less than 15 hours, a significant improvement compared to the two-day journey by road. “This shorter transit time has greatly contributed to the exponential growth in durian exports,” Auramon stated, as quoted by Thairath Online.
Since the China-Laos Railway commenced operations in December 2021, Thailand’s fruit exports to China have experienced a substantial increase. Auramon emphasized that shipments through the Northeast dry port of Nong Khai, situated on the Thai-Laos border, reached a value of 1.96 billion baht (approximately 55 million US dollars) in 2022, a significant leap from the previous year’s figure of 90.41 million baht (around 2.55 million dollars).
Furthermore, Auramon highlighted the advantageous position of Thai fruits and other shipments, which can leverage the privileges provided by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. These trade agreements have further bolstered Thailand’s export capabilities and facilitated the surge in trade volume.
According to the DTN, Thailand’s exports to China via the China-Laos Railway amounted to 2.84 billion baht (approximately 80.22 million dollars) during the January-May period. Notably, 72% of these exports consisted of fresh durian shipments, underscoring the strong demand for this tropical fruit in the Chinese market.
