Thailand targets 3.53 billion USD worth of durian export this year. (Photo: khaosodenglish.com) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand expects to exportabout 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB(3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according toMinister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The official said that he had instructed the Fruits Board tomeet with durian farmers, durian sorters and cutters, entrepreneurs, sortingand packing plant operators, exporters and the Agriculture and AgriculturalExtension and Cooperative Promotion Department, to ensure that the durian forexport meets quality standards and China’s GAP requirements.
The Department of Agriculture was asked to enhance qualitycontrol management and issue phytosanitary certificates to those involved indurian exports to China, including farmers, sorting and packing plants and exporterswho meet the requirements, he said, adding that it was also instructed tofind ways to reduce the cost of fertiliser and pesticides for durian farmers.
The Royal Irrigation Department has been directed to manageirrigation systems, to ensure sufficient water for durian orchards inChanthaburi, Rayong and Trat provinces, which are the major areas of durianproduction in Thailand.
Regarding the smuggling of cheap durian from neighbouringcountries, for export disguised as Thai durian, Thammanat said that a specialtask force will deal with this problem directly, to protect the reputation ofThai durian.
According to Rapeephat Chantarasriwong, Director-General ofthe Agriculture Department, more than 64,000 ha of durian orchards in theeastern provinces have registered with the Chinese customs office and have beenissued with GAP certificates, which will facilitate the export of their durianinto China./.
