Thailand's Measures to Address Fruit Export Issues to China in 2021
December, 26 2021
China: Thailand’s Most Important Market for Fruit Exports
Between January and October 2021, China accounted for 85% of Thailand’s fruit exports. Despite COVID-19-related border closures, Thai fruit exports to China still grew by 86% due to coordinated problem-solving efforts between the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
The two key border checkpoints for Thai fruit exports to China are:
- Youyi Guan Checkpoint
- Mohan Checkpoint (a major checkpoint and backup route if Youyi Guan is closed).
Resolving the Mohan Checkpoint Closure
On October 5, 2021, China closed the Mohan checkpoint as part of its COVID-19 prevention measures. In response, Thailand:
- Ordered trade and agricultural attachés to negotiate with Chinese authorities.
- On November 1, 2021, met with China’s new ambassador to push for reopening.
- Within two weeks, China began a trial reopening of Mohan.
Under strict COVID-19 measures:
- Thai trucks were limited to 150 per day.
- Chinese trucks entering Thailand were capped at 180 per day.
- From December 1-14, 2021, 212 Thai trucks successfully exported goods to China.
China indicated that Mohan would fully reopen in early 2022.
Strict COVID-19 Safety Measures for Thai Fruit Exports
Thailand has implemented stringent health protocols to ensure that exported fruits are free from COVID-19 contamination. This includes:
- Thorough inspections at all stages (from farm to shipment).
- Disinfection of containers before departure.
- Additional safety checks at border checkpoints.
- Issuance of COVID-19-free certificates for products such as canned fruit and seafood.
These measures align with China’s "Zero-COVID" policy, ensuring continued access to the Chinese market.
Proactive Measures for Fruit Exports in 2022
Thailand has launched 18 proactive measures to manage fruit exports, including:
- Support for fruit wholesalers and packing houses (Lhong).
- Pre-market planning through business matching and trade negotiations.
- Engagement with importers from 10+ countries to secure deals for Thai exporters.
Addressing the Global Container Shortage
The worldwide shortage of shipping containers remains a major challenge. However, Thailand has:
- Worked with the private sector through the Ministry of Commerce’s Export War Room (กรอ.พาณิชย์).
- Balanced supply and demand in 2020, ensuring 1.2 million containers for 1.1 million in demand.
- Managed to sustain export growth despite global crises, including COVID-19.
As a result, Thai exports grew nearly 40% in the first 10 months of 2021, despite multiple global challenges.