The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has approached China Customs to extend operational hours at the Mohan checkpoint on the Laos border. Deputy Minister Napintorn Srisunpang stated that the closing time will shift from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Chinese authorities plan to enhance inspection capabilities by increasing laboratories from three to five and deploying additional officials to improve processing efficiency.
Napintorn shared that discussions with customs at various checkpoints confirmed that Thai durian is free from Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) dye and cadmium contamination. Previously, 30% of durian imports were tested. As of January, all containers undergo testing for BY2 and cadmium by certified Thai laboratories and face full inspection upon arrival in China.
Napintorn noted this increased scrutiny has led to delays, with transport times reaching eight days. Concerns have arisen that during peak seasons, inspections could extend to 10 days, potentially leading to delivery times of up to 20 days, affecting the quality and sales of Thai durian.
Durian production is expected to grow by 37% year-on-year in 2025, reaching over 1.7 million tons from 1.2 million tons in 2024, driven by expanded cultivation and yield improvements. Last year, domestic consumption was 280,000 tons, with 800,000 tons exported, 97% to China. This year, exports are expected to rise to 1.3 million tons, with domestic consumption increasing to 400,000 tons.
Source: VNExpress