Thai Durian Exports Face Hurdles Amid Labor Shortages and Inspection Requirements

Thai durian exports are expected to face multiple hurdles during the coming harvest season owing to labor shortages and a lack of procurement centers.

According to Wittayakorn Maneenetr, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade, durian supply is forecast to reach 1.78 million metric tons this year, with the country’s eastern region contributing 59.5% of total production.

As the number of skilled Cambodian workers declines, Thailand’s durian industry is facing shortages of farm laborers and packing workers. Although workers from Myanmar are entering the industry, they require training to meet specific demands. In addition, the detection of chemical residues such as cadmium and the dye auramine O during inspections by Chinese authorities has hindered exports. Thailand continues to cooperate with China to facilitate inspections and identify the root causes of the contamination.

In eastern Thailand, the durian supply is expected to peak between March and June, while supply from other regions is likely to begin between June and August. In June, when the supply peaks overlap, a shortage of durian procurement centers is anticipated to put pressure on procurement in the southern region. Containers may also be in short supply during the peak export season.

Durian exports from Thailand to China primarily follow two routes. The first route begins at Thailand’s northeastern border, passes through Laos and Vietnam, and enters China through Guangxi province. The second route starts in Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province and follows the R3A highway through Laos before reaching China’s Yunnan province. It is hoped that this second, shorter route will expedite the distribution of Thai products to broader markets, including western and central China, with Chengdu becoming an important distribution center.

Image: Pexels

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