Bangkok: The Department of Agriculture is expediting the process of facilitating durian exports to China. The Department of Agriculture is accelerating efforts to facilitate the export of Thai durian to China, including extending certification hours until after midnight, launching a pre-appointment system, and deploying more agricultural inspectors to densely populated export areas. This is being done while strictly enforcing the "4 No's" standards to maintain global market confidence. Durian exports are expected to generate over 150 billion baht in revenue for the country this year.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Rapeephat Chantharasriwong, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has a policy to urgently address the problems of transporting agricultural products, especially exports to China, to make the process faster and more efficient. This includes coordinating the extension of border checkpoint hours and increasing the stringency of quality inspections for exported agricultural products, particularly durian, to prevent negative impacts on the economy and maintain confidence in Thai fruit in the global market in the long term.
The Department of Agriculture has continuously implemented these measures. During periods of high durian production, officials extended the operating hours for export product certification at various checkpoints beyond midnight to ensure continuous transportation to destination countries, reducing problems with product backlogs and transportation delays.
In addition, the system allows businesses to schedule appointments in advance for inspections by officials at designated times, reducing waiting times and improving logistical efficiency. Furthermore, agricultural inspectors from other regions have been mobilized to support areas with high export volumes, thereby increasing the speed and efficiency of the certification process.
The Director-General of the Department of Agriculture added that, in terms of quality, the Department of Agriculture continues to strictly adhere to its "4 No's" policy: "Not unripe, not counterfeit, no artificial coloring/chemicals, and no worms." This is coupled with integrated cooperation with security agencies to deter actions that may damage the image of Thai durian or exploit farmers.
The Office of Agricultural Economics forecasts that Thai durian production will increase by more than 30 percent this year compared to last year. If all sectors work together to maintain standards and quality according to the requirements and criteria set by trading partners, it is believed that durian exports could generate more than 150 billion baht in revenue for the country.