BANGKOK: Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is stepping up efforts to elevate domestic durian quality standards, in a bid to shore up global consumer trust and consolidate the country's status as the world's leading durian exporter, Deputy Government Spokesperson Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn said on Monday (May 18).
The ministry has instructed all relevant agencies to fully enforce the "Four No's" regulation, which bans sales of unripe durians, pest-affected produce, products with fraudulent origin certificates, and fruits containing chemical residues, Patdarasm said.
Authorities have joined hands with agricultural bodies and private enterprises to audit quality across the supply chain, she said, noting that key measures include verifying fruit maturity before harvest, controlling localised pests, implementing farm-to-table traceability, and conducting random chemical-residue tests before shipment.
Furthermore, round-the-clock logistics and export support services have been launched to cut operational expenses and accelerate cargo delivery, enabling smooth circulation amid this year's peak harvest period, she added.
The government projects that such rigorous quality assurance mechanisms will push the nation's durian export revenue above 150 billion baht (about US$4.57 billion) in 2026. - Xinhua
