Capt Thamanat Prompow Acts on Thai Durian Cadmium Scandal: Exporters Suspended

The Caretaker Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Capt Thamanat Prompow, has taken decisive action against 12 durian exporters after alarming reports from Chinese authorities detailed the presence of cadmium in their products. In a bid to safeguard the reputation and quality of Thai durians, the Department of Agriculture (DoA) has been directed to suspend these exporters immediately and launch thorough investigations into the origins of the toxic contamination.

Capt Thamanat emphasized the gravity of the situation by mandating criminal complaints against export agents who had illicitly taken advantage of subrogated export rights from Thailand. Particular scrutiny will be placed on those who might have falsified the Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) certifications, a crucial quality seal issued by the Thai government. This certification is a stringent requirement by China for 22 Thai fruits, including durians.

A ministry report dated January 9 disclosed that an impressive 218,922 farms and 2,038 packaging plants had secured the GAP certification. Capt Thamanat assured that his firm stand aimed to maintain the high standards of Thai agricultural exports, thus bolstering local incomes and enhancing community welfare.

The clampdown followed the detection of contamination across 16 shipments, implicating at least 15 farms and 12 packaging facilities. Acting swiftly upon learning this, the DoA halted exports from the concerned sources and despatched officials to collect soil, water, and durian samples for thorough cadmium testing.

Phatchayaphon Muenjaeng, the DoA’s deputy director, reassured that initial inspections found the cadmium levels within the Chinese government’s acceptable threshold of 0.05 milligrams per kilogramme. Nevertheless, he urged durian exporters to submit a minimum of five durians per shipment for mandatory cadmium testing between September 2 and 16.

To streamline this process, Talad Morakot Central Fruit Market in Chumphon has been designated as the central submission point for these tests. Exporters are expected to bear the submission cost, which ranges from 800 to 1,200 baht, including delivery fees.

While the Chinese authorities have yet to enforce a ban on Thai durian imports, Phatchayaphon noted that officials from both nations are dedicated to collaborating closely on this investigation and the resultant mitigation strategies.

The news of cadmium contamination has understandably shaken the community of Thai durian growers. Chonlathee Numnoo, president of the Eastern Region Durian Growers Confederation, expressed his concerns, noting that such a predicament was unprecedented in his experience. The scandal has tarnished the sterling reputation of Thai durians, and Chonlathee, also an adviser to the House Committee on Agriculture and Cooperation, intends to propose that Capt Thamanat fully disclose the investigation findings to the public to restore confidence.

Despite the setbacks, the sheer scale of Thai durian exports to China remains impressive. Since the beginning of the year, Thailand has exported 714,334 tonnes of durians to China, raking in at least 94 billion baht. This reflects the enduring love and demand for Thai durians in the international market, a beacon of hope amidst the current challenges.