Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry is now requiring traders to submit documents for all frozen durian imports and exports to prevent re-labelling, strengthen Thai standards, and continue the fight against illegal farm goods.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn announced on September 4 that the Agricultural Standards Committee has approved a draft ministerial regulation governing the licensing of producers, exporters, and importers of agricultural goods subject to mandatory standards, specifically covering frozen durian.
The new regulation adds post-licensing requirements, compelling operators to submit supporting documents for every import and export shipment. The measure is designed to prevent foreign durians from being repackaged and fraudulently sold as Thai produce, which has damaged the country’s agricultural reputation. It also aims to raise product standards and reinforce Thailand’s ongoing campaign against the illegal farm trade.
The ministry has already issued 2 regulations relating to frozen durian:
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for frozen durian production
- Inspection and acceptance protocols for durian collection centres and packing houses
Trading partners now require exporters to submit laboratory reports for every shipment, covering tests for 4 types of pathogenic microorganisms, cadmium levels, and the banned dye Basic Yellow 2 (BY2). These rules, in force since 15 February 2025, are intended to ensure compliance with international standards and to prevent non-tariff trade barriers.
At the meeting, the Committee also endorsed 5 new agricultural standards covering key areas of farming, food safety, and livestock. They include
- Crop production without burning
- Sweet potato quality and safety
- Guidelines for preventing arsenic contamination in rice
- Classification of agricultural products, Vol. 2: Processed plant-based foods
- Good practices for livestock semen production centres
