Thai durian has outranked rice and para rubber as Thailand’s top export performer, with export volume last year estimated at about 187 billion baht, compared to 100 billion baht for rice exports and 90 billion baht for rubber, according to the Centre for International Trade Studies at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Director of the Centre Assoc. Prof. Dr. Att Pisarnvanich said that, in the next five years, Thailand is likely to retain its position as the world’s leading durian exporter, but its export market share may shrink from 85% to 76%, due to stiff competition from both Vietnam and Malaysia.

He said Thai durian still has good export potential, especially to China, which is the main export market for Thai durian, but it may face increased challenges, such as quality, increased production, labour shortages and price controls imposed by Chinese wholesale buyers in Thailand.

(Source: – Asean Now)