Thai durians cleared for export to China after contamination checks
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Itthi Sirilattayakorn recently inspected the export of durians free from Basic Yellow 2 and cadmium contamination at the Nakhon Phanom border checkpoint.
Itthi discussed export strategies to China with the Department of Agriculture and relevant agencies. Following Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat’s urgent policy on safe, high-quality fruit for domestic consumption and export, efforts to address contamination issues in Thai durians for the Chinese market have shown progress.
It was announced that Thai durians can now be exported to China, with the Department of Agriculture reporting six shipments totalling 96 tonnes and valued at approximately 7.8 million baht scheduled for export via the Nakhon Phanom and Chiang Khong checkpoints yesterday, January 20 and today.
The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to ensuring confidence in Thai durians among trading partners and is accelerating problem-solving processes to minimise impacts on Thai businesses and farmers. All products must be free of contamination to preserve Thailand’s reputation.
“I assure you that the Ministry of Agriculture is actively addressing the stringent measures imposed by China on inspecting Basic Yellow 2 in durians. Meetings have been convened to expedite exports by January 20, which is now achievable. I commend the Department of Agriculture and related agencies for their swift action, aiming to make Thai durians the world’s top choice.”
China’s strict import measures, effective January 10, require inspections for Basic Yellow 2 in durians, accompanied by test reports for all batches from Thailand.
Lab testing
On January 17, the Department of Agriculture announced that China’s General Administration of Customs has authorised six capable laboratories to conduct Basic Yellow 2 tests, collectively processing 700 samples daily with results available within 48 hours.
These laboratories include Central Laboratory (Thailand) Co., Ltd. branches in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, and AMARC Asia Co., Ltd.
Additionally, four more laboratories will be added next week, increasing capacity to 1,300 samples per day, which will support upcoming durian exports from eastern and southern Thailand.
Rapipat Chantasrivong, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, stated that the department has been collecting durian samples for Basic Yellow 2 testing since the evening of January 17.
This testing is part of the export conditions to China, with samples collected from 11 packing houses across 13 shipments, totalling 155.5 tonnes and valued over 11 million baht. These samples came from Chanthaburi (five packing houses, seven shipments, 58.5 tonnes worth about 3 million baht) and Chumphon (six packing houses, six shipments, 97 tonnes worth about 8 million baht).
The export of durians through the Nakhon Phanom plant checkpoint yesterday required strict verification of test reports for Basic Yellow 2 in both flesh and peel, ensuring results show “Not Detected.”
Cadmium levels must not exceed 0.05mg/kg to issue a phytosanitary certificate for Chinese import checkpoints. Exporters are reminded to adhere to the “Four No’s” policy: no pests, no worms, no unauthorised rights, and no banned chemicals.
The ultimate goal is “Set Zero” chemical use in packing facilities to maintain Thailand’s lucrative durian market exports to China, valued at hundreds of billions of baht, reported KhaoSod.
Latest Thailand News
