Thailand Worried About Durian Testing Time

Off-season durian fruit is being harvested in southern Thailand. The Lunar New Year, usually a peak period for the Thai durian industry, has become a time of uncertainty in 2025. Factors like the early Lunar New Year, China's new Auramine O testing requirement, and limited testing capacity are causing concern among exporters. According to the Thai Durian and Mangosteen Exporters Association, the current export process, including document preparation, lab testing, and customs clearance in China, can take up to 15 days, potentially impacting fresh fruit quality. While Thailand has six qualified labs, their combined capacity is insufficient for peak season volumes, causing further delays. Even with plans to add more labs, the 'zero tolerance' policy for banned substances raises concerns. If even one container in a shipment fails testing, the entire shipment can be confiscated, resulting in significant financial losses for exporters. The high cost of Auramine O and Cadmium residue testing, approximately 5 million VND per sample, adds to the financial burden. This, coupled with increased global competition in the durian fruit market, poses significant challenges for Thai producers.