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Thai durians meant for export to China returned to & sold in Thailand, caused prices to crash
Over 100 containers of durians from Thailand were reportedly turned away.
January 21, 2025, 05:14 PM
Durian prices in Thailand reached a low of around 110 to 120 baht per kg (S$4.36 to S$4.76 per kg) following strict export checks by China.
According to Khaosod English, this comes after more than 100 containers of durians were rejected at Chinese borders due to missing test results for the carcinogenic dye, "Basic Yellow 2" (BY2).
Thai authorities have since conducted contamination tests for quality control and is expected to export Thai durians into China again from Jan. 20, reported Bangkok Post.
Strict checks by Chinese authorities, returned durians sold in local markets
Chinese immigration authorities have implemented random checks at all checkpoints since Jan. 10, 2025 to detect BY2 in durians from Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
BY2 is classified as a Group 2B cancer-causing carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and commonly used to enhance the yellow colour in durians.
According to Khaosod English, over 100 containers of durians from Thailand were reportedly returned and later sold in local markets at lower prices.
Such durians were previously priced at around 230 to 240 baht per kg (S$9.12 to S$9.52 per kg), and are typically sold at lower prices due to their overripe state.
China had also required cadmium tests on Thai exported durians.
Stringent import-export checks by Chinese authorities typically take up to seven days, said the Thai Durian Association.
Durian export to resume, Thailand ministry to improve quality control
Deputy Agriculture Minister Itthi Sirilatthayakorn announced that Thai durian exports to China was slated to continue on Jan. 20, reported Bangkok Post.
This comes after a meeting held by the ministry's fruit board on Jan. 14 to address the issue.
Local authorities have since commenced contamination tests for BY2 in Thai durians, which are nearing completion.
He said shipments to China would be able to resume once tests have cleared the durians.
"Export standard certification should benefit the expected sale of durian from southern Thailand to China during the Lunar New Year period", he added.
Itthi also said authorities will ensure the durians previously rejected by China will not be marketed in Thailand.
Top photos via Canva & Khaosod English
