Thailand has outlined its current market-access negotiations with China following discussions between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Thammanat Prompao and senior officials of China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) during the 9th China-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on SPS Cooperation in Chongqing.
Thailand requested access for four additional fresh fruits in the Chinese market. The proposed items are dates, salak, maprang, and mayong chid. According to Thailand, expanding the list could help push annual fruit export value to China beyond 160 billion baht, approximately US$4.33 billion. A GACC inspection team visited Thai date and salak orchards and packing facilities from August 5 to 9, 2025, and Thailand expects approval for these two fruits early next year. Maprang and mayong chid remain under review and are expected in the next phase.
If all four products are cleared, Thailand projects initial shipments of 3,000 tonnes of dates and salak valued at 565 million baht, around US$15.3 million, and 4,000 tonnes of maprang and mayong chid valued at 1 billion baht, about US$27.1 million.
Longan residues were also raised. Thammanat said excess sulphur dioxide levels in longan exports are being addressed, and that the Department of Agriculture held technical discussions with GACC on September 9, 2025. Thailand is carrying out research because there has not yet been a full analysis of sulphur dioxide levels in the whole fruit. Thailand proposed a transition period in which China would apply the 2004 protocol standard, which tests only the fruit flesh for sulphur levels not exceeding 50 ppm, to avoid trade disruption. Thammanat said Thailand is prepared to work with China on joint research to update food-safety standards.
China has drafted a new durian protocol for Thailand's review. Both sides agreed to revise the document together so that it covers production, export, and import procedures, and quality control, within each country's regulatory framework. Thailand's Department of Agriculture will now consult exporters, growers, and government agencies.
Thailand and China also agreed to accelerate integration of their electronic phytosanitary certificate systems and traceability systems, with a goal of full linkage in 2026, aligned with the National Fruit Safety Platform endorsed by Thailand's Fruit Board.
Thammanat said strengthening SPS cooperation with China would support Thailand's agricultural competitiveness and expand export opportunities for growers.
Source: The Nation
