Thai durians continue to be a top choice among Chinese consumers, according to the Thai Consul-General in Nanning.
Despite the lack of a direct land border, Thailand has been able to efficiently transport its agricultural products to China through border crossings in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, such as Youyiguan, utilizing neighboring countries like Laos and Vietnam.
Currently, a total of 23 Thai fruits have successfully passed China’s stringent quality and safety assessments, making Thailand the largest exporter of fruits to China. Among these, durians, coconuts, longans, and mangosteens have consistently ranked as the top four imports.
In May 2024 alone, daily exports of Thai durians to China surged to approximately 1,000 containers, with a significant portion originating from eastern Thailand.
The proximity of northeastern provinces, like Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan, to Chinese markets in Guangxi has reduced transportation time to just 1-2 days, providing a significant boost to Thai fruit farmers.
While facing competition from neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia, the Thai Consul-General emphasized that China’s vast market, with a population of over 1.4 billion, offers immense potential for ASEAN fruits. She encouraged regional cooperation to enhance exports to China, noting that the demand for durians alone far exceeds the supply from Thailand.
To maintain Thailand’s competitive edge, the Consul-General stressed the importance of upholding high-quality standards for exported durians. The Thai Embassy and Consulates-General in China are actively working to streamline transportation processes and foster stronger bilateral relations to facilitate trade.
Beyond the durian trade, the Consul-General also addressed the broader Thai-Chinese relationship, acknowledging concerns about illegal Chinese activities in Thailand. She urged a more comprehensive view of the partnership, highlighting the positive contributions of many Chinese companies to Thailand’s economy and job creation. Thailand and China have extensive cooperation in various areas, including economics, trade, and tourism.
While acknowledging the inevitable challenges in any relationship, she emphasized the importance of amicable cooperation and mutual respect in addressing these issues.
She also noted that Thailand has a strong foundation due to the Chinese people’s fondness for Thailand and their love for traveling there. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate friendship and be good hosts. (TNA)
