Unique durian in South Thailand gets geographical indication status

Unique durians from one South Thailand province have been given geographical indication (GI) status.

A new addition to the exclusive club GI products, Durian Sadet Nam Yala, received official recognition from the Intellectual Property Department of Thailand. This move is expected to boost sales and increase income for local durian growers in the southern border province of Yala.

Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai spoke of the potential benefits that the GI designation could bring to the local economy. With its distinctive taste and smell, Durian Sadet Nam Yala is a popular fruit, fetching as much as 190 baht per kilogram. This high-quality durian already generates up to 2.8 billion baht per year for Yala’s growers and related businesses.

The GI designation is also seen as a step towards promoting Thai fruit exports to international markets, particularly China and Malaysia, Bangkok Post reported. This is part of the government’s plan to strengthen the economy at the community level and provide a source of income for small-scale farmers.

Durian Sadet Nam Yala trees are known to grow well in hilly areas, 100 metres above sea level or higher. The fruit is available for harvest between July and September. It joins “Kluay Hin Bannang Sata” bananas, another Yala product that has received GI designation in the past.

With its unique taste and high market value, Durian Sadet Nam Yala is set to be a hot commodity in both domestic and international markets. The GI designation is sure to provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and ensure the future success of Yala’s durian growers.

Thailand is one of the largest producers of durian in the world. In 2020, the kingdom produced over 1.1 million metric tons of durians, according to Statista.

Durian is considered a delicacy in Thailand and is prized for its sweet, creamy flesh and distinctive odour. It is used in a variety of Thai dishes, including durian ice cream, durian smoothies, and durian-stuffed pancakes.

Durian is also a popular ingredient in traditional Thai medicines and is believed to have a range of health benefits, including improving digestion and boosting energy levels.

The fruit is exported from Thailand to many countries around the world, including China, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Durians are very important for the economies of several Thai provinces. Last year, agriculture officials in Phuket opened the Phuket Durian Fair seeking to promote the famous Thai fruit to bring income to local farmers.

Phuket’s agriculture chief highlighted the importance of durian to Phuket’s locals. Chief Suban Rakthong said the fruit is in high demand, especially among tourists from other Asian countries.