Bangkok: Minister Narumon has mandated stringent controls on contaminants in fruits, following the discovery of Basic Yellow 2 dye in Thai durian by Chinese customs, which led to a temporary suspension of imports. Preparations are underway for discussions with Chinese officials early next month to restore trust in the quality of Thai fruits.
According to Thai News Agency, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, chaired the 1/2568 Fruit Development and Management Committee meeting. The urgent agenda focused on addressing trade barriers faced by Thai fruits and vegetables. Key attendees included Mr. Prayoon Insakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and representatives from various agencies like the Department of Agricultural Extension and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS).
The meeting was spurred by China's halt on Thai durian imports after detecting Basic Yellow 2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has committed to reinforcing product standards. A resolution was passed to inspect 100% of export containers, checking for contaminants such as cadmium, durian worms, and sulfur dioxide in longans, with penalties for any violations per the Department of Agriculture's directives.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narumon stated that within 10 days, comprehensive inspection protocols will be implemented to enhance the quality and reliability of Thai durian. The southern provinces of Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat will be prioritized for action as their durian products are nearing market release. Concurrently, the Department of Internal Trade is collaborating to stabilize durian prices, urging buyers to maintain fair pricing. The Ministry of Agriculture is actively working to resolve the issue promptly to protect farmers' interests.
Furthermore, from February 5-7, the Prime Minister and Dr. Narumon will visit China for discussions with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) about adopting stricter measures for Thai agricultural exports. This aims to bolster confidence and boost income for Thai farmers, given the growing export volume to China. In 2024 alone, Thailand exported 1.817 million tons of fresh fruit, valued at 177,131 million baht.
The Department of Agriculture has issued new regulations from January 10, 2568, to manage contamination in durian exports. These include using approved chemicals in production, suspending exports from facilities using banned substances, and conducting laboratory analyses if prohibited substances are suspected.
In terms of export statistics from 2022-2024, durian exports have decreased, while longan exports have risen. A total of 1,824,815 tons of fruits worth 134,954 million baht were shipped, though the export volume declined from previous years. Durian accounted for 824,777 tons valued at 88,806 million baht, and longan shipments totaled 375,327 tons worth 16,018 million baht. The Department of Agriculture is also planning to expand the market by requesting longan export approvals to the Philippines.