Thailand boosts durian export checks after China ban
Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is set to enhance its contamination screening processes for durians before export to China, following a temporary ban imposed by the country.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat announced yesterday, January 14, that each durian shipment will undergo testing for Basic Yellow 2, a cancer-causing dye, along with cadmium and durian borers, prior to shipping.
Narumon made this statement after convening an urgent meeting to address the export ban. The updated pre-export screening procedures are scheduled to be implemented in 10 days. The Department of Agriculture has warned that business operators who fail to adhere to these new guidelines risk losing their export licences.
The minister also revealed plans to visit China from February 5 to 7, accompanied by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. During this official visit, discussions will be held with Chinese customs authorities regarding Thailand’s enhanced pre-export product screening measures. The goal is to bolster China’s confidence in the safety standards and quality of Thai products.
Narumon highlighted that the quantity of Thai fruit exported to China has been increasing annually. From January to November last year, 1.817 million tonnes of fruit, worth 177.13 billion baht, were exported to China.
On September 18, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives discovered the illegal use of Basic Yellow 2, imported from China and not registered with Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This substance was used by durian packing plants for exports, funded by a Chinese investment group in Chumphon province. These plants were ordered to stop using the unregistered substance.
However, a follow-up visit a month later revealed that these packing facilities continued using the substance, resulting in warning letters being issued.
The ministry was notified of durian exports being rejected at Nanning Airport in China last Saturday, January 11, due to insufficient documentation certifying the absence of Basic Yellow 2, reported Bangkok Post.
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