Commerce Ministry Unveils Four-Point Plan to Combat Durian Price Collapse

The Department of Internal Trade is tackling falling durian prices in southern Thailand with four key measures to boost distribution of 300,000 tons of output. Director-General Withayakorn Maneenate outlined the strategy following a field inspection at Marakot market in Chumphon, working to execute Deputy Prime Minister Supachee Suthermpunthu's fruit management policy. Southern durian production is now over 50 percent into the season, with Chumphon province alone accounting for roughly 70 percent, or 243,000 tons.

The four-point action plan includes: (1) accelerating product distribution from farms to market by coordinating with the Department of Land Transport and ensuring compliance with the GMS Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement, while encouraging more Thai trucks to purchase durian and connecting foreign buyers for continuous purchasing; (2) maintaining Thai durian quality through strict harvest standards, grading, and compliance with production benchmarks to build buyer confidence and protect the nation's durian brand; (3) promoting value-added processing through community enterprises and producers to create products such as fried durian and durian sweets, while linking market channels; and (4) intensifying marketing and communications to attract traders to Marakot market for expanded distribution.

Marakot market manager Thanet Samgtawon confirmed the facility is prepared to handle the southern durian influx as eastern region production winds down. Vendors at the market report that Chinese consumers remain highly interested in Thai durian, especially the golden pillow variety for its trusted quality and flavor, while the Sri Saket volcanic durian has earned recognition as a premium product among discerning buyers.