China has banned longan imports from Thailand. Yesterday, Somdet Susomboon, the director general of the Department of International Trade Promotion, said the Chinese government had implemented the ban because mealybugs had been discovered in Thai longan exports.
Somdet is seeking a delay on the ban due to it being imposed so quickly. He has stated that if negotiations don’t go through, Thai longan exports will be affected because between 70% to 80% of all Thai longan exports were destined for China.
However, he adds that the department will explore potential markets around Southeast Asia to compensate for China. The director general did not comment on their strategy for the mealybugs.
Source: thethaiger.com