According to reports from Thai media, to uphold the positive reputation of Thai durians, there has been a concerted effort to combat premature harvesting and rigorously prevent the sale of inferior durians, relevant Thai departments have recently established and enforced the 2024 picking schedule for eastern durians, tailored to the specific varieties of durians available.
Of these, the harvesting date for Gradoomthong durian is set for April 15, 2024; while Chanee and Puangmanee durians are scheduled to be picked on May 5th. As for the Monthong durian, its harvesting is slated for May 20th.
In addition, according to the pulp percentage of dry weight specified in the durian varieties, the Gradoomthong durian should not be less than 27%, the Chanee durian should not be less than 30%, the Puangmanee durian should not be less than 30%, and the Monthong durian should not be less than 32%.
Mr. Pirapan, the director of Thailand's Department of Agriculture Promotion, emphasized that Thailand has implemented measures aimed at bolstering consumer confidence by promoting the cultivation of premium-grade durians. He highlighted the successful outcomes of the longstanding efforts in the eastern region, noting significant strides in quality enhancement over the years.
Thai media said that the prevalence of inferior durians will harm the image of Thai durians and pose serious harm to the entire durian industry. Therefore, the Department of Agriculture Promotion and relevant agencies have taken measures to prevent the circulation of inferior durians in the market. This focus is particularly pronounced in the eastern region of Thailand, recognized as the primary hub for durian production. The significance of this area cannot be overstated, as its durians often reach the market ahead of those from other regions.
Before picking, local fruit farmers need to take durian samples to designated locations for testing, and certificates will be issued to those who pass the test. It is understood that each province has different implementation periods according to local conditions. Therefore, each province is required to strictly enforce the law following the announcement.
Mr. Pirapan said that relevant departments have notified durian farmers of the regulations on registration and annual update of information, so that government agencies can correctly formulate plans to encourage farmers to apply for GAP certification and promote the export of high-quality durians, especially for the Chinese durian consumer market.
According to data from Thailand's Kasikorn Research Center, Thai fruits, led by durian, will play an important role in commodity exports to China in 2023, accounting for 18.2%.
Kasikorn Research Center predicts that Thai durian exports to China will total US$4.5 billion in 2024, an increase of 12% from last year.
Thai media said that although the demand for fresh Thai durians in the Chinese market continues to increase, it will still encounter more competitive pressure in the future. Thai durians will account for about 68% of the Chinese market in 2023, while the market share of Vietnamese durians is gradually increasing.