Deputy PM Supattanapong Urges Farmers to Stop Harvesting Unripe Durian Over Foreign Market Confidence Concerns

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow held a press conference following a meeting on marketing strategies and price stabilization for mangosteen and durian in Chanthaburi province.

Supattanapong stated that this year's fruit market, particularly durian, faces greater challenges than last year. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives forecasts a significant increase in durian production. Meanwhile, rising transportation costs due to Middle East tensions have resulted in lower opening-season prices compared to the previous year. Combined with this year's hot and dry weather producing abundant small-sized durian, exports could be affected.

"We don't want to wait for problems to arise before solving them, so we've taken proactive measures since the beginning of the year," she said. These include advance market development in foreign countries, boosting domestic consumption, expanding new markets in Western China, and establishing trade routes through Laos-Chiang Khong-Chengdu to accommodate the harvest.

Supattanapong appealed to farmers and business operators to maintain strict product quality standards, particularly by preventing unripe durian harvesting, which could undermine foreign market confidence. She emphasized that Thailand must leverage its quality advantage to compete, especially after Vietnam encountered cadmium detection problems in some of its produce.

Regarding mangosteen, peak market arrivals are expected between May 21 and June 10, with small-sized mangosteen representing approximately 55% of the harvest. Support measures must be accelerated, including opening mangosteen distribution centers, connecting markets with modern trade channels, promoting exports, distributing produce through the "Thai Help Thai" program, and collaborating with partner agencies such as the Interior Ministry, Thai Post, and the private sector.