Thailand’s durian industry is facing a major scandal after China rejected over 60 tonnes of contaminated durians, forcing Thai authorities to bury the fruits and take action against unscrupulous exporters.
The Agriculture Department confirmed that the fruits were tainted with Basic Yellow 2 (BY2), an artificial dye used to enhance the durians’ yellow color for export appeal.
China’s Crackdown on Contaminated Durians
On February 6, 2025, the Agriculture Department of Thailand reported that a total of 64,671kg of durians rejected by China had been disposed of by burial at Laem Chabang deep seaport and the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint. This drastic measure followed China’s stringent quality checks, which flagged the presence of BY2 in the shipments.
BY2, a synthetic dye, has sparked controversy due to its suspected use in artificially brightening durians. Some exporters allegedly dip durians in the substance to make them appear more vibrant and appealing.
However, the dye’s presence raises serious health concerns, leading to China imposing mandatory laboratory testing on all Thai durian exports.
Exporters Held Accountable
In response to the scandal, the Thai Agriculture Department has suspended the export licences of 26 durian wholesalers responsible for the tainted shipments. The exact origin of the contamination remains under investigation, but authorities are not taking any chances.
Agriculture Department Director-General Rapeepat Chansriwong stated that the department will revise the export manual for durians to prevent similar incidents in the future. The aim is to restore trust in Thai durians, which are a major export commodity and a symbol of the country’s agricultural prowess.
The Future of Thailand’s Durian Exports
With China being one of Thailand’s biggest durian markets, this scandal could have severe economic consequences. If more contaminated shipments are found, Thai durians might face stricter import regulations or even temporary bans in key markets.
To protect the reputation of Thai durians, authorities must tighten regulations and hold exporters accountable. Consumers, especially in China, expect high-quality, naturally ripened durians, and any attempts to artificially enhance their appearance through harmful chemicals could severely damage Thailand’s durian industry in the long run.
With stricter enforcement and better quality control, Thailand can regain its status as the world’s top durian exporter. However, this scandal serves as a warning that cheating the system for short-term profit can lead to long-term disaster.
By: Kpost
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