Tag: tons

  • Riding the Durian Express: Cambodia Boosts Exports to China with 5,700 Tons of Fresh Fruit

    Riding the Durian Express: Cambodia Boosts Exports to China with 5,700 Tons of Fresh Fruit

    In the first seven months of 2026, Cambodia managed to export a significant amount of fresh durians to China. Specifically, 5,738 metric tons of the fruit were exported, largely due to improvements in overland logistics. This advancement has been credited to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with the undersecretary of state, Khim Finan, highlighting the opening of a new overland route from Cambodia to China via Laos as a key factor.

    Boosting Trade via Overland Route

    The implementation of this new land route has not only opened fresh avenues of trade but also significantly reduced transit times. As Mr. Finan pointed out, the duration has been slashed from 15-20 days by sea to just 5 days overland. This route was officially inaugurated in late June and serves as a convenient channel for transporting a range of Cambodian agricultural products to China.

    The list of approved commodities for transport through this route includes bananas, mangoes, rice, Pailin longan, cassava starch, and durian. Each of these products has received official approval for shipment, boosting Cambodia’s export potential.

    Chinese Market’s Fondness for Durian

    China holds the distinction of being the world’s largest market for durian. In the previous year, China purchased an impressive 1.87 million tons of the fruit, amounting to a total worth of US$7.49 billion.

    The first half of this year has already seen an import of 1.07 million tons. Thailand remains the largest supplier, accounting for 81% of the total durian delivered to China. Vietnam follows close behind, contributing 18% to the supplies, while the remaining stocks are provided by Malaysia and the Philippines.

    Cambodia’s fresh durian exports to China have been on a sharp incline since July of the previous year. This was when the first shipment was sent after Chinese authorities granted approval to over 100 durian farms and 30 packaging facilities in Cambodia.

    Durian is the fifth fresh fruit from Cambodia to be given direct access to the Chinese market. It joined the ranks of bananas, mangoes, longans, and coconuts that have been enjoying this privilege.

    It was reported that Cambodia has more than 11,000 hectares devoted to durian cultivation, which yields an estimated 120,000 tons of the fruit annually.

    Questions & Answers

    What led to Cambodia’s significant export of fresh durians to China?
    The exports were largely facilitated by the opening of a new overland route from Cambodia to China through Laos, reducing transit times considerably.

    What are the other agricultural products Cambodia exports to China via this route?
    In addition to durian, Cambodia also exports bananas, mangoes, rice, Pailin longan, and cassava starch to China through this route.

    What is the significance of durian in the Chinese market?
    China is the world’s largest market for durian, having purchased 1.87 million tons of the fruit worth US$7.49 billion in the previous year.

  • Thailand Rolls Out Plans to Promote 300,000 Tons of Southern Durian amidst Oversupply Concerns

    Thailand Rolls Out Plans to Promote 300,000 Tons of Southern Durian amidst Oversupply Concerns

    Thailand is working to stimulate the consumption and distribution of 300,000 metric tons of southern durian due to an oversupply caused by a decline in exports to China, primarily related to quality issues. The director-general of the Department of Internal Trade, Wittayakorn Maneenetr, revealed that the durian production in southern Thailand is expected to reach 752,515 tons this year, marking an increase of 30% compared to the last season. Around 35% of the produce has already hit the market, with almost 489,199 tons remaining undistributed.

    According to Maneenetr, the early-season price drop is linked to China’s temporary halt in orders due to the quality concerns associated with unripe durians, and the growing competition from foreign suppliers and domestic production from Thailand’s eastern and northeastern regions.

    Market Stabilization Measures

    To balance out prices, the department has stepped in with initiatives like advance purchases and consumer-targeted promotional campaigns. Currently, Southern Monthong durians are priced at 85-105 baht (US$2.5-3.1) per kilogram for AB grade, 60-80 baht for C grade, and 40-55 baht for D grade.

    The designed plan to distribute 300,000 tons of southern durian involves selling 3,700 tons through advance purchase contracts, 9,000 tons via consumption promotion campaigns, and 281,000 tons through off-farm distribution networks. Additional measures encompass establishing direct sales outlets, subsidizing postal delivery costs, and encouraging processing initiatives.

    Under its medium-term strategy, the Ministry of Commerce is aiming to engage tourists through consumption campaigns, collaborate with food brands to create durian-based menus, and organize field trips for foreign ambassadors to the major durian-producing provinces, including Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

    Despite the seasonal challenges, the overall durian exports from Thailand remain strong. From the start of the year until July 5, Thailand has exported 908,047.46 tons of durian in 55,831 shipments, which generated more than 104.19 billion baht.

    Questions & Answers

    What were the main reasons for the drop in durian exports to China?
    The decline in exports was primarily due to quality issues associated with unripe durians, leading to a temporary suspension of orders from China.

    What are the prices for different grades of Southern Monthong durians?
    AB grade durians are priced at 85-105 baht per kilogram, C grade durians at 60-80 baht, and D grade durians at 40-55 baht.

    What strategies are being implemented to boost durian consumption and distribution?
    Strategies include advance purchases, consumption promotion campaigns, setting up direct sales outlets, subsidizing postal delivery costs, and supporting processing initiatives. Furthermore, there are plans to engage tourists and collaborate with food brands to create durian-based menus.