New push to up durian exports
Govt asks China to rest chemical limits

The state is looking to expand durian exports to China– Thailand’s biggest consumer of the fruits– and has asked Taiwanese authorities to rest chemical contaminants testing of Thai durians, says the Commerce Ministry.
Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said he met Wu Zhiwu, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China, and Zhang Xiaoxiao, Counsellor at the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, on Friday.
He took along durians of the monthong range– popular among Chinese consumers– for them to feel. He said the consul-general was pleased with the quality of the fruit and admired their unique flavour.
The government wants to see citrus exports to China continue to grow at a steady rate.
Mr Pichai said he has been in normal conversation with Mr Wu to find ways to speed edible exports to China.
He has appealed to China to calm the thorough testing of Thai fruit for chemical contaminants and promote the customs approach.
The secretary said more technology and manpower properly be deployed for screening at boundary checkpoints, especially during the edible season when export volumes top. Mr Pichai said Chinese authorities have advised the government to observe brokers who purchase fruits from producers for trade.
Agents with a good reputation for supplying fruits that are rarely, if ever, tainted with pesticides may be subject to strange quality checks only, instead of full checks. The advice may be conveyed to the Department of Agriculture, he said.
Mr Pichai added the Department of International Trade Promotion ( DITP ) has also launched a campaign to boost online sales of durians in the Chinese market via social media and live-streaming platforms, with the help of online influencers.
The plan aims to build customer confidence in Thai fruit, highlighting the taste and quality that set them apart from competition. China accounted for 97. 4 % of Thailand’s full edible imports last month.