Wittayakorn Maneenetr, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, said durian output in southern Thailand is forecast to reach 752,515 tons this year, up 30% from the previous season. About 35% of the crop has already entered the market, leaving approximately 489,199 tons yet to be distributed.
He attributed the early-season price decline to China’s temporary suspension of orders over quality concerns related to unripe durians, along with increased competition from foreign suppliers and domestic output from Thailand’s eastern and northeastern growing regions.
To stabilize prices, the department has intervened through advance purchases and consumer-focused promotional campaigns. Southern Monthong durians are currently priced at 85-105 baht (US$2.5-3.1) per kilogram for AB grade, 60-80 baht for C grade and 40-55 baht for D grade.
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A worker piles freshly harvested durians at an orchard in Chumphon, Thailand, Sept. 18, 2023. Photo by Xinhua via AFP |
The plan to distribute 300,000 tons of southern durian includes 3,700 tons to be sold through advance purchase contracts, 9,000 tons through consumption promotion campaigns and 281,000 tons through off-farm distribution networks.
Additional measures include setting up direct sales outlets, subsidizing postal delivery costs and supporting processing initiatives.
Under its medium-term strategy, the Ministry of Commerce plans to target tourists through consumption campaigns, partner with food brands to develop durian-based menus and organize field trips for foreign ambassadors to major producing provinces, including Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Despite challenges early in the season, Thailand’s overall durian exports remain robust. From Jan. 1 to July 5 this year, the country exported 908,047.46 tons of durian in 55,831 shipments, generating more than 104.19 billion baht.
Sourcee.vnexpress.net
