"Supajee" reveals durian exports over 7 months have surpassed 1.11 million tonnes, valued at 127.22 billion baht, even as this year presents challenges of increased production, higher transport costs, and competition from rival countries. However, accelerated export facilitation, improved logistics, and advance market-making efforts have enabled continuous exports. She affirms the push to promote processing, reduce surpluses, and convert durian husks into fertiliser. The latest update shows that 70–80% of Southern durian has already reached the market, with efforts to continue supporting sales through the end of the season to maintain prices for farmers.
Mrs. Supajee Suthamphant, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, disclosed that the latest durian export figures stand at 1,110,655.92 tonnes, comprising 68,044 containers, with a value exceeding 127,220.52 million baht (data as of 4 August 2026). This reflects that Thai durian has continued to hold its export market position, despite this year's challenges of increased production volume, higher freight costs arising from the conflict situation, and competition from rival countries. The results of accelerated export and transport facilitation — achieved through cooperation with all relevant agencies to clear the way and resolve border checkpoint issues so that durian would not be held up — along with the use of the railway route and the Nong Khai checkpoint, which helped expand options and reduce logistical constraints, have enabled greater export volumes. Advance market-making efforts to generate demand both domestically and abroad have also allowed produce to be distributed in a timely manner without any backlog issues.
In addition, the Ministry of Commerce has been driving durian processing, because when supply exceeds demand in both domestic and international markets, downward price pressure emerges. The approach has been to think ahead about what processed products the market requires, and then let market demand guide production — rather than producing items the market does not want. Beyond adding value to produce, the Ministry also places importance on managing surpluses. One initiative already under way is the conversion of durian husks into organic fertiliser following the Maejo Engineering 1 methodology, which transforms production waste into a useful resource, reduces costs, and creates added value in line with the Zero Waste concept.
As for work going forward, instructions have been issued for the Provincial Commerce Offices to produce a clear fruit calendar for Chumphon Province indicating which fruits will peak during which periods, so that the Ministry of Commerce can step in to support market efforts at precisely the right time. Price data will also be compiled so that farmers can closely track market conditions. This will be complemented by cooperation from all sectors — the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of International Trade Promotion, the Department of Internal Trade, Provincial Commerce Offices, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and farmers — with the aim of making Chumphon a model for comprehensive fruit management, covering everything from production planning, marketing, and transportation to processing and the productive use of surpluses.
"The goal is to bring the durian season to a satisfactory close — farmers earn appropriate income, entrepreneurs can move their businesses forward — and in the next phase, the system must be made more robust through market-led production, fruit calendars, processing, and the utilisation of surpluses, so that we are not firefighting problems every single season," Mrs. Supajee said.
Mrs. Supajee stated that Southern durian production is now being released to the market at approximately 70–80%, so it is necessary to urgently manage distribution for both domestic sales and exports continuously through to the end of the season at appropriate price levels. She had already issued instructions since June 2026, before the produce was released, directing agencies to assist with procurement and price-pulling measures. The target is to absorb approximately 300,000 tonnes of Southern durian, with more than 200,000 tonnes already absorbed, helping to bring prices back to a level at which the season can be seen through to its conclusion.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Commerce is continuing to assist other fruits from the South, particularly mangosteen, whose prices this year remain at a satisfactory level. The Ministry is also collaborating with Thailand Post to support packaging and transportation so that farmers can send fruit directly to consumers nationwide. Meanwhile, for the issue of surplus cooking coconuts, the Ministry of Commerce has already absorbed approximately 4 million coconuts in Chumphon Province and will accelerate efforts to provide additional assistance alongside addressing the problem systematically going forward.
A reporter noted that during the field visit to Chumphon Province, Mrs. Supajee and her delegation visited exhibition booths showcasing agricultural products and processed goods from Chumphon farmers and entrepreneurs, including Geographical Indication (GI) products such as Chumphon Lady Finger Bananas, Chumphon Pathio Yellow Rice, Khao Thalu Coffee, Tham Sing Chumphon Coffee, Laem Banana (Golden Fragrant), Chumphon Durian, and Sawi Pineapple, as well as honey products, banana powder, and fig-derived products, before visiting durian sorting and packing operations and the inspection and release of export containers.
The visit was attended by Miss Banjongchit Angsusingh, Adviser to the Minister of Commerce; Mr. Worawut Posakhanon, Secretary to the Minister of Commerce; Sub-Lieutenant Chakra Yodmanee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce; Mr. Kornit Nonchui, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Commerce; Mr. Thianchai Chukittiwiboon, Governor of Chumphon Province; Mr. Nopporn Usit, President of the Chumphon Provincial Administrative Organisation; Mr. Wichai Sudsawat, Member of Parliament for Chumphon Constituency 1; together with representatives from government agencies, the private sector, durian export entrepreneurs, the Chumphon Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries Chumphon Chapter, the Chumphon Farmers Council, and the Chumphon Fruit Growers Association.
