Thai Durian Exporter Platinum Fruits Eyes Expansion Into Northern and Northeastern China

According to Thai media reports, leading fruit exporter Platinum Fruits plans to expand into the durian market in northern and northeastern China and is preparing to launch a ready-to-eat durian sticky rice product line. At the same time, the company is working to develop its fresh longan exports to Europe, with a particular focus on consumers in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Platinum Fruits is one of Thailand’s largest fresh durian exporters, with a product portfolio that also includes fresh longans, mangosteens and coconuts. While China remains its core market, the company also exports to countries across Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and South Asia.

At Asia Fruit Logistica 2025, Platinum Fruits CEO Natthakrit Iamsakul revealed that the company is engaged in talks with partners to develop new markets in several provinces across northern and northeastern China. Demand for Thai durians in China is expected to grow significantly, presenting strong opportunities for Thai suppliers. The company emphasized, however, that quality and safety remain top priorities for successfully entering these markets. In addition to fresh fruit, Platinum Fruits also showcased its self-developed ready-to-eat durian sticky rice at the exhibition, a product that has been particularly well received by European buyers.

According to Iamsakul, Platinum Fruits’ main markets for fresh longans are currently Indonesia and China, but the fruit is also gaining traction in European countries such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In the past, some markets were unfamiliar with fresh longans, but once consumers tried them, they quickly appreciated the fruit’s flavor. Moreover, fresh longans have a relatively long shelf life, which helps to reduce logistics costs.

Earlier this year, durian exports to China faced challenges due to excessive levels of the heavy metal cadmium and auramine O contamination. At the Asia Fruit Logistica Bangkok Meet-Up in June, Iamsakul emphasized that Platinum Fruits had not been affected by these issues, saying that the company has always prioritized safety and quality. To ensure this, Platinum Fruits reportedly implements a comprehensive set of practices, including training farmers at production sites, taking soil and water samples for testing, ensuring that pesticide residues remain within limits, and inspecting fruit for residues, pests and fungi after it enters the factory. All processes adhere to Global G.A.P. policies to guarantee that exported products are free from cadmium and auramine O contamination.

Based on information from Platinum Fruits’ official website, all of the company’s fruits are sourced from orchards certified under G.A.P. and Global G.A.P. standards. The company has also invested in a cold-chain transport system to maintain proper temperature control throughout the supply chain and ensure the quality of its fruit.

Images: Platinum Fruits

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.