Thai officials and Chinese partners are stepping up efforts to promote durian exports, following a recent visit by importers, media representatives, and influencers to key production sites in eastern Thailand.

The delegation, led by Dr. Nopparat Buahom, agricultural consul at the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou, included executives from Pagoda, one of China’s largest fruit importers, along with journalists from major outlets and online influencers. The group toured durian orchards and packing facilities in Chanthaburi province to observe production and export processes firsthand.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture provided briefings on quality control and safety standards across the supply chain, from orchard management to pre-export inspection. The delegation reviewed procedures for Good Agricultural Practices certification, testing for starch levels, pesticide residues, and heavy metals, as well as pest control measures. Participants also sampled several durian varieties and other fruits.

Pagoda operates more than 6,000 retail outlets across China and imports Thai fruit worth over 10 billion baht annually. The company plans to import about 1,500 containers of Thai durian in 2026 and is considering expanding to additional products. Media coverage and online content from the visit are being distributed across Chinese platforms to boost consumer confidence and support demand in Thailand’s largest fruit export market.