Durian for sale in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: AFP/VNA
Thai Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao said on April 20 that he has instructed the Fruit Committee to meet with durian planters, sorters and cutters, traders, operators of sorting and packaging plants, exporters and the Department of Agricultural Extension and Cooperatives Promotion to ensure that durians for export meet Chinese quality standards and GAP requirements.
Thammanat said he has instructed the Agriculture Ministry to step up quality control management and issue phytosanitary certificates for those involved in durian exports to China, including farmers, sorting and packaging plants and exporters that meet the requirements. He also urged that ways be sought to reduce the cost of fertilizer and pesticides for durian farmers.
Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department has been instructed to manage irrigation systems to ensure sufficient water for durian plantations in the eastern provinces of Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat, the major durian growing areas in eastern Thailand.
As for the smuggling of cheap durians from neighboring countries to be disguised as Thai durians for export, Thammanat said a task force will directly address this issue to protect the reputation of Thai durians.
According to the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Rapeephat Chantarasriwong, over 64,000 ha of durian orchards in Thailand’s eastern provinces have registered with the Chinese customs and been granted GAP certification, which will facilitate their durian exports to China.
