A worker catches a durian cut off from a tree at an orchard in Chumphon, Thailand, Sept. 18, 2023. Photo by AFP
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has recently requested the China Customs to extend the working hours at the Mohan checkpoint on the border with Laos to facilitate durian inspections.
Specifically, the closing time will be changed from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, according to Deputy Minister Napintorn Srisunpang.
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A worker catches a durian cut off from a tree at an orchard in Chumphon, Thailand, Sept. 18, 2023. Photo by AFP |
Chinese authorities will also increase the number of inspection laboratories from three to five, adding more officials to streamline the process at this checkpoint, Napintorn said.
He revealed that discussions with customs officials at multiple checkpoints indicated that Thai durian is free from contamination by Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) dye or cadmium.
Previously, only 30% of durian imports underwent testing, but since January all containers must be checked for BY2 and cadmium contamination by certified laboratories in Thailand, plus face complete inspection upon arrival at Chinese borders.
Napintorn said this heightened scrutiny has resulted in delays, with transport times stretching up to eight days. Concerns have been raised that during peak seasons, the inspection process could extend to as long as 10 days, potentially resulting in delivery times of up to 20 days, which may compromise quality and negatively impact sales of Thai durian.
In 2025, durian production is anticipated to rise by 37% year-on-year, reaching over 1.7 million tonnes, up from 1.2 million tonnes in 2024 due to expanded cultivation and improved yields.
Last year, domestic consumption was at 280,000 tonnes with 800,000 tonnes exported, 97% of which went to China. This year, exports are projected to increase to 1.3 million tonnes, while domestic consumption is expected to grow to 400,000 tonnes.
