Thailand Enhances Agricultural Standards and Combats Illegal Trade with Stricter Regulations

Strategic Insights -

The Thai government is intensifying its efforts to protect the country's agricultural reputation and combat the trade of illicit farm goods. To achieve this, the Agriculture Ministry has implemented new regulations requiring traders to submit documents for all frozen durian imports and exports, while also strengthening standards and enforcement mechanisms.

The Agricultural Standards Committee has approved a draft ministerial regulation governing the licensing of producers, exporters, and importers of agricultural goods subject to mandatory standards, specifically covering frozen durian. This move aims to prevent foreign durians from being repackaged and sold as Thai produce, which has damaged the country's agricultural reputation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Agriculture Ministry now requires traders to submit documents for all frozen durian imports and exports to prevent re-labelling and strengthen Thai standards.
  • The new regulation adds post-licensing requirements, compelling operators to submit supporting documents for every import and export shipment.
  • The measure is designed to prevent foreign durians from being repackaged and fraudulently sold as Thai produce.
  • Trading partners now require exporters to submit laboratory reports for every shipment, covering tests for four types of pathogenic microorganisms, cadmium levels, and the banned dye Basic Yellow 2 (BY2).
  • The Agricultural Standards Committee has also endorsed five new draft standards covering key areas of farming, food safety, and livestock.
  • The draft standards include guidelines for crop production without burning, sweet potato quality and safety, and classification of agricultural products.

Statistics:

  • Since February 15, 2025, trading partners have required exporters to submit laboratory reports for every shipment.
  • The new regulation aims to cover all import and export shipments of frozen durian.
  • The Agricultural Standards Committee has approved five new draft standards covering key areas of farming, food safety, and livestock.

Sources:

  • "Thailand Aims to Boost Quality and Zoom in on International Trade Agreements," Bangkok Post.
  • "Agriculture Ministry Introduces Measures to Prevent Non-Tariff Trade Barriers," Thai Government Public Relations Department.
  • "Thai Government Strengthens Standards for Frozen Durian Exports," USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
  • "Thai Agriculture Ministry Implements New Regulations," Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.