In Uttaradit Province, authorities mandated the disposal of over three tonnes of unripe durians designated for the Chinese market. This action was initiated after the proprietor of a packing facility raised concerns about the potential mixing of inferior durians with premium ones, jeopardizing the national reputation.
A scrutiny squad, led by Police Major General Sutthipong Pektong and accompanied by a special task force, inspected a packing plant in Huadong, Laplae District, to assess over three tonnes of Monthong durians prepared for export to China. The inspection aimed to address apprehensions regarding the blending of unripe durians with ripe ones by the hired personnel, which could significantly degrade export quality.
The inquiry exposed that the packing plant owner had procured durians from an orchard in Phitsanulok Province and employed personnel for sorting and grading as per export criteria. Nonetheless, the investigation confirmed the mixing of unripe with ripe durians, leading to the seizure and evaluation of the entire batch for maturity based on scientific benchmarks.
The durians, failing to meet the prescribed starch content requirement of at least 32%, with measurements ranging from 28% to 31%, were designated for destruction. The involved parties were informed about the strict regulations against substandard durians.
The incident underscores the rigorous quality standards for durian exports and the challenges faced by operators in adhering to these criteria, especially in regions renowned for durian cultivation like Laplae District.
Source: thethaiger.com