Thai Durians: Safe, Sound, and Sweet in China

Photo courtesy of NBT World

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives confidently predicts that Thai durians, already dominating 57% of China's fruit market, will continue to be the top choice. This comes after enhancements in food safety and contamination checks. Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat recently met with Chinese Minister Sun Meijun to discuss Thai fruit imports.

Thailand exports durians worth 130 to 140 billion baht each year, expecting a rise in this value by 2025. In response to concerns about the carcinogenic food colouring Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) in some exports, the Department of Agriculture is reinforcing pre-export screenings as per China's request.

The National Fruit Product Development and Management Policy Committee, also known as the Fruit Board, is tasked with screening for BY2 and other harmful substances. With laboratories already geared up for these inspections, more facilities are needed to keep pace with the growing demand for Thai durians, a product generating over 100 billion baht annually, reported The Thaiger.