Weekend Manager – The more you enter the harvest season, the more eye-catching “Durian, the King of Thai Fruits”, which is an economic crop with an export value of over a hundred billion. from having been the number 1 export market in China for a long time being overtaken by neighboring ASEAN countries such as Vietnam
also “Durian is worth the gold” From the news of Ao Cho police station, Trat province, therefore organizing The project of depositing durians with the police Prevent thieves secretly cutting durian farmers because in the past 2022, there were tons of stolen durian cut from the garden. worth millions of baht causing severe damage to farmers in the area It reinforces that durian is a high-value fruit.
For the durian situation in the country in 2023, the price is likely to increase and of course, Thai people are inevitably preparing to eat expensive durian. Because the cost of fertilizer prices has almost doubled from 50 kilograms of fertilizer, the price is 1,000 baht, the price has been increased by 2,400 – 2,500 baht, and there are also epidemic factors that reduce productivity, such as durian root rot disease, durian dry twig disease, etc. Especially the Mon Thong and Kradum durians, which are susceptible to the disease, were especially severely affected. In addition, a large number of Chinese investors bought from Chinese investors to export to China. It’s the reason why this year Thai consumers have to buy more expensive durian than last year.
Durian is an important agricultural product that is exported to the People’s Republic of China as the number 1 export value of more than a hundred thousand million baht. Durian is the king of Thai fruits. It is the number one economic crop with over 90% of the Chinese market share. Over the years, almost all durian consumption in China has depended on imports, mostly from Thailand. Referring to the figure in 2021, the value of fresh durian exports from Thailand to the Chinese market is up to 3.49 billion US dollars (about 1.21 billion baht).
The situation of Thai durian exports is worth watching. In the past, Thailand was known as a monopoly on the export of fresh durian to China without paying taxes. Provided that GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) certification is obtained, it is a guarantee that proper planting, harvesting and transportation are undertaken. but nowadays China is more open to importing fresh durian. ASEAN countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia have the right to export fresh durian to China as well, and China is now able to grow its own durian. It’s interesting what the future holds.
Krungthai COMPASS Krung Thai Bank issue an analysis “Take the pulse of Thai durian Will the throne be overthrown or not? After the fierce competition for the Chinese market ” in October 2022 by estimating that The Thai durian export market to China will expand by 19.3% (2022-2030) to $ 22,162 million, or about 700 billion baht in 2030, from the current 120 billion baht from the increasing demand for durians from China. continuously
But Thailand’s durian market share in China is likely to decline from 95.9% in 2021 to 90.4% and 88.1% in 2025 and 2030, respectively, from China being able to grow durian by itself and durian exports from competitors. More exports to China include Malaysia and Vietnam, which are expected to affect Thai durian exports to China approximately 17-57 billion baht per year during 2025-2030.
Krungthai COMPASS estimates that by 2025, Thailand’s durian production will surpass that of Indonesia and by 2030, Thailand’s durian production may increase 4.2 times to 5.05 million tons, while Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam’s durian production is likely to be 4.05 million. tons (3 times increase), 0.72 million tons (1.7 times increase) and 3.44 million tons (5.4 times increase), respectively. This makes the competition in the export market more intense.
Situation of durian exports This is a challenge for the Thai agricultural sector. Miss Mananya Thaiset Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Revealed after meeting quality control measures for durian exports to the People’s Republic of China. Regarding the policy to supervise the export of durian to China in the 2023 production season, targeting good quality Thai durian to maintain the Thai durian export market Because now Thailand has more commercial competitors. Recently, China has allowed Vietnam and the Philippines to export durian fruit to China. Therefore, to be able to maintain the Thai durian export market. Therefore, we must focus on the quality that meets the standards only.
“This year 2023 will have to increase the intensity. To ensure the quality of Thai durian and durian exported to China By instructing the Department of Agriculture to preserve breeding and quality standards and as a mentor to farmers and entrepreneurs By regularly training to clarify understanding of regulations that need to be adjusted in accordance with the needs of trading partner countries. because we have more competitors
“Therefore, durian cultivation and trade in Thailand must not stop improving quality. so as not to let young durians or inferior quality durians escape and to maintain Thai farmers and durian export market Therefore, he urged all officers to work honestly. Because we do not have a policy to encourage anyone to commit crimes. If a government official commits an offense The impact will fall on farmers,” said Ms. Mananya Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives A plan has been prepared to support the situation of durian fruit problems in a systematic manner since the production supervision period. until reaching durian cutting for sale In the past, there was often a problem with smuggling young durian. There is proactive work through the working group to solve the problem of inferior durian quality and claiming farmers’ rights to use the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certificate for durian exports in Thailand. and prepare a plan to cope with durian export competition from neighboring countries
In addition, the Department of Agricultural Extension join the integration of agencies in the durian orchard area Set up inspection service points for percentage of dry weight in durian flesh in 5 provinces, totaling 68 points, namely Chanthaburi (40 points), Trat (7 points), Rayong (6 points), Chumphon (10 points), Nakhon Si Thammarat (5 points). (Lhong) Durian delivered to Lhong There must be a certificate of the percentage of dry weight in the durian flesh. Thai durians are of better quality than foreign ones. However, poaching young durians will result in poorer quality. The department has set durian harvest dates as follows: Button and Phuangmanee durians are harvested on March 10, Gibbons are harvested on March 20, and Monthong durians are harvested on March 20. Harvest on April 15, 2023
Including increasing rigorous inspection and monitoring of durian orchards that meet GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards and packing houses that meet standards for good production methods or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) in order to Maintain export standards in accordance with the agreements of trading partner countries. Inspect durian for export By strictly inspecting every shipment, including land, sea and air transportation. If found guilty, it does not comply with export durian standards or guidelines for the Thai-Chinese protocol. The Department of Agriculture will not issue a phytosanitary certificate for export.
For the case of soft durian problems It is in the process of the Department of Agriculture considering a solution. Previously, the Department of Agriculture used the method of spray painting durian. but found a problem that it was brought back to sell on the side of the road Causing damage to consumers when buying and found to be young durian, therefore, there may be additional measures to solve this problem, such as burning or auctioning for processing durian, etc.
In addition to the role of the state, there is also a movement in the people’s sector. A fruit protection organization (durian) has been established in the eastern region. Strengthen the work of the government sector. To help monitor and inform the clues of wrongdoing to government agencies. Especially in the case of a farmer cutting young durian. to prevent cutting young durian into the market And check the purchase of durian to not buy young durian for sale. Prevent the sale of inferior quality durian by wanting farmers to produce quality durian for the market And must not bring durian from other places to wear the right.
Durian is regarded as the king of Thai fruits. The export value is over a hundred thousand million baht per year. Maintaining quality standards for export markets and domestic consumption This is a challenge for the Thai government and farmers.