Thailand to become world’s top durian producer in five years
Thailand is on course to become the world’s largest durian producer over the next five years, however, it is at risk of losing out to neighbouring exporters of the king of fruit, experts have warned.
Thailand is on course to become the world’s largest durian producer over the next five years. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand is on course to become the world’s largestdurian producer over the next five years, however, it is at risk of losing outto neighbouring exporters of the king of fruit, experts have warned.
Director of the Centre for International Trade Studies at the University of theThai Chamber of Commerce Aat Pisanwanich said that with 30 percent growth indurian-planting areas in the country in the past decade, durian production ispredicted to rise by 83 percent during 2021-2025.
The average annual amount of durian produced in this period is tipped to be2.02 million tonnes, compared to 1.11 million tonnes recorded last year, headded, stressing this will be the largest amount of durian production in theworld.
At present, Thailand is second after Indonesia, which produces the world’slargest volume of 1.2 million tonnes of durian per year.
The quantityof durian production in Thailand rose by 6,000 tonnes per year between 2011 and2016, he said.
Between 2017 and last year, the amount jumped by 140,000 tonnes per year, morethan 20 times higher, Aat said.
Thailand's neighbours have also been expanding their durian-growing areas, hesaid, adding durian production in Malaysia has in recent years grown by 42percent, while Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam have seen a 32 percent,40 percent and 20 percent growth in durian production respectively.
As a result, Thailand is now projected to lose its durian export market sharefrom about 80 percent last year to about 57 percent by 2025, said Aat.
The world's total volume of durian exports is predicted in the next five yearsto rise by 350,000 tonnes per year from only 130,000 tonnes per year as seen inthe past decade.
Meanwhile, the world's durian exports are forecast to rise by 134.5 percent to1.8 million tonnes by 2025, compared to a 48.3 percent rise in 2020, he said./.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has stepped up measures to recover durian orchards damaged by severe saltwater intrusion and drought in the 2019 – 2020 dry season.
Farmers in Cai Lay district, the largest durian producer in Tien Giang province, have raised their income by improving yield and quality with the use of advanced techniques.
Hernan Corporation Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia’s largest exporters of durian-related products, has made its debut in the Japanese market after its maiden shipment of frozen durians, consisting of the Musang King and D101 variant, arrived at the Tokyo Port mid-January.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
Thailand is on course to become the world’s largest durian producer over the next five years. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) 
