China Reaffirms Confidence in Thai Durian Amid Strategic Export Plans

Bangkok: China reiterates its continued confidence in Thai durian, highlighting its strength in variety. The Department of Internal Trade is preparing proactive durian management strategies to accommodate the gradual influx of produce into the market during the harvest season in both the eastern and southern regions. This includes surveying domestic and international market demand, planning targeted distribution, and boosting consumer confidence. The department affirms that China continues to have confidence in the quality of Thai durian and will continue to support exports, particularly highlighting the diversity of varieties and processing options. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Witayakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that the department has been closely monitoring the Thai durian production situation, especially in the eastern region, where durian is expected to begin entering the market from April and peak in May-June. Durian from the southern region will g radually enter the market throughout the middle of the year. Therefore, marketing and distribution plans must be based on accurate data for each period in order to maintain price stability and reduce the problem of concentrated supply. Simultaneously, the department is accelerating its exploration of international market demand, particularly in China, which continues to have confidence in the quality of Thai durian and shows a continuous growth trend. This includes demand for fresh fruit, durian pulp, and processed products such as raw materials for the food, dessert, and beverage industries, which cater to the modern consumer's demand for convenience and high quality. 'Thai durian is not just a seasonal fruit, but a high-value strategic economic commodity. The Department of Internal Trade therefore prioritizes preparing market data, connecting distribution channels, and enhancing its image to reflect the quality, standards, and unique diversity of Thai durian varieties,' Mr. Witayakorn said. The departmen t is also in the process of developing a public relations and marketing campaign to create new awareness about Thai durian, focusing on communicating its strengths: "quality, standards, and variety" to consumers and importers both domestically and internationally. This is being done in collaboration with the private sector, retailers, and online platforms to expand the market and add value to durian sustainably. The Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade emphasized that the department will continuously monitor the situation and is ready to adjust measures to align with market changes, ensuring that Thai durian can compete on the global stage and that farmers receive stable returns.