NONTHABURI, Aug 23 (TNA) — Thailand became the biggest exporter of durian in worldwide markets, leaving competitors like Hong Kong and Malaysia way behind.
Oramon Sapthaweetham, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said that in the first half of this year Thailand exported fresh durian worth US$817 million, up by 45% from the same period of last year.
Main markets were China and Southeast Asia that bought 79% of Thai durian exports.
In the first six months of 2019, durian exports to China amounted to US$425 million, up 70% year-on-year. Those to Southeast Asia were valued at US$219 million, up 19%.
“Thailand is the world’s biggest durian exporter and its export value is over 100% more than those of Hong Kong and Malaysia,” she said.
Ms Oramon attributed the huge exports to Thailand’s free trade agreements with 16 countries that lifted tariffs on durian fruits from Thailand.
She referred to the tariff privilege from China, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei, India, Chiles and Peru, Ms Oramon said.
Durian exports to China and Southeast Asia had risen by 41,840% and 8,416% respectively since the beginning of Thailand’s free trade with them in 2002 and 1992 respectively, she said. (TNA)
