China-grown durian should have no critical influence on Thai durian exports given restricted provides in China and the nice style of Thai durian, in accordance with representatives of the non-public sector.
Sumit Khiawkhajee, secretary-general of the jap chapter of the Federation of Thai SME, mentioned on Sunday that the cultivation of durian in different international locations together with Vietnam, Cambodia and currently China definitely supplied extra competitors, however there have been different elements supporting worldwide demand for Thai durian.
He was responding to a report that China was efficiently rising durian in Hainan province and anticipated its first harvest in June.
Components supporting Thai exports had been cultivation information, local weather and varieties which resulted in numerous durian high quality and amount, he mentioned.
“Even in Thailand, durian merchandise from totally different areas have totally different high quality and costs. This occurs to each form of produce,” Mr Sumit mentioned.
He added that China was huge and there was nonetheless excessive demand for Thai durian from inland Chinese language cities. Chinese language folks considered Thai durian as premium merchandise and had been keen to pay for its nice style, he mentioned.
“I surveyed the Chinese language market and talked to Thai farmers and merchants and located that there’s sufficient provide of Thai durian solely in border Chinese language areas – it has not reached inland provinces and 4-5 main cities in China. Chinese language merchants are competing fiercely to purchase it. I consider the market can develop additional by 5-10 fold,” mentioned Mr Sumit, who can be deputy mayor of Trat’s Muang municipality.
Paijit Wiboonthanasan, secretary-general of the Thai-Chinese language Promotion of Funding and Commerce Affiliation, mentioned that concerning China-grown durian, Thai durian may be at a worth drawback, however the very low provide of China-grown durian should have no unfavourable influence on Thai durian exports.
If Chinese language durian doesn’t style good and focuses on comparatively low costs, it is not going to have a picture of a premium product and well-to-do Chinese language folks could not purchase it as presents for lovers, members of the family and others, Mr Paijit mentioned.
Nonetheless, he mentioned, Thailand ought to significantly develop its durian varieties and promote them amongst Chinese language folks.
Durian must be developed and included on meals and beverage menus in China, Mr Paijit mentioned.
