Although durian production in Thailand has been affected by the weather this year, durian sales in eastern Thailand have hit a record high, laying a good foundation for durian exports in southern Thailand. Durian exports from southern Thailand started on June 10 and will continue until October.

On June 10, 14 provinces in southern Thailand started picking durians simultaneously. The durian output in southern Thailand is expected to be about 670,000 tons this year, of which Chumphon province alone accounts for more than half of the entire southern region, with an estimated output of 337,376 tons. China is the most important export market for durians in Chumphon province.

Nuttakrit Oranhirunrak, vice president of the Thai-Chinese Agricultural Enterprise Association in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, said that it is expected that the total amount of durian exported from Thailand to China will exceed previous years. As of June 10 this year, Thailand's durian exports to China reached 33,000 containers, far exceeding the 15,000 containers three years ago. The abnormal weather in eastern Thailand has caused many durians to be in poor shape. If there is no impact from the weather, the export volume to China will increase to 35,000-40,000 containers.

In terms of price, the average price of durian in eastern Thailand rose to 130 baht/kg (26.9 yuan/kg), reaching the highest price ever recorded. The price of Kadumtong durian is even as high as 300 baht/kg (62.1 yuan/kg), and the price of golden pillow (Monthong) and Tomani (Phuang Mani) has reached 250 baht/kg (51.7 yuan/kg) .

A durian exporter said that three years ago, the price of durian was 90 baht/kg, but this year the average price started from 100 baht, and in May the average price even reached 200 baht/kg. He hoped that the government could provide some logistical and market help during next year's durian harvest season, such as setting a logistics price ceiling.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture of Thailand, from January to May 2023, Thailand exported a total of 480,000 tons of fresh durian to China, worth nearly 63 billion baht, or about 13.04 billion yuan. The fruit export target set by the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand this year is 4.44 million tons, and the export target of durian alone is as high as 100 billion baht, about 20.05 billion yuan. Judging from the current export situation, the durian export target of over 20 billion yuan may be expected to be exceeded.