Thailand's Fruit Exports to China During the COVID-19 Era
June, 15 2021
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, agricultural products remain in high demand, especially in the Chinese market.
Since the beginning of 2021, Thailand has exported 532,262 tons of fruit to China, valued at 34.453 billion baht. The top export was durian, totaling 193,778 tons, worth 23.585 billion baht.
Strict measures have been implemented to prevent COVID-19 contamination in fruit exports, as China has very strict safety regulations. Thailand has ensured strict compliance with contamination prevention guidelines in packaging and handling.
To date, China has not detected any COVID-19 contamination in Thai agricultural products.
China’s Fruit Import Data
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In 2020, China was the world's second-largest fruit importer.
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China imported fruit worth 12 billion USD, with Thailand being its top supplier, accounting for 33.45% of imports.
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Thailand exported 4 billion USD worth of fruit to China.
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The top Thai fruit imported by China:
- Durian (48%)
- Mangosteen (fresh and dried) 22%
- Longan 11%
- Coconut 6%
- Other fruits
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22 types of Thai fruit approved for import into China include: tamarind, custard apple, papaya, starfruit, guava, rambutan, rose apple, jackfruit, longkong, pineapple, sapodilla, banana, passion fruit, coconut, longan, durian, mango, lychee, mangosteen, tangerine, orange, and pomelo.
Export Conditions for Thai Fruits to China
- Must be free of regulated pests under China’s quarantine requirements.
- Must not exceed the pesticide and chemical residue limits set by China.
- Longan must not exceed 50 mg/kg of sulfur dioxide residue.
- Must undergo pest control and proper packaging under the supervision of Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
- Must include a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) with every shipment.
- 10 types of Thai fruits exported to China must come from GAP-certified farms and GMP-certified packing houses registered with Thailand’s Department of Agriculture and China’s relevant authorities before export.
Given Thailand’s strong position in China’s fruit import market, maintaining high quality standards and strictly complying with regulations is crucial. This presents a significant opportunity for Thailand to strengthen its competitive advantage over other countries in the region.