Chinese consumers will soon be able to taste fresh durians from Thailand as the first shipment of this exotic fruit to China begins on April 19. Thai durians will be transported along with mangosteen and frozen seafood in refrigerated containers from Map Ta Phut in Rayong province to three Chinese cities: Kunming, Chongqing and Guangzhou.
It is estimated that 700 to 1,000 containers of durians will be sent to China this year.
Delivery by train from Map Ta Phut to Kunming will take three to four days, Chongqing four to five days, and Guangzhou five to six days. This type of supply of durians will expand Thailand's exports to other parts of China, as well as to European countries connected by railway lines with China.
Pan-Asia Silk Road Co Ltd will provide a door-to-door delivery service that will connect Thai durian dealers to fruit markets in China, as well as take care of customs paperwork and other import/export procedures.
Chanthaburi Governor Monsit Paisarnthanawat said the plan is to ship 30 refrigerated containers of durians and other food products by train every day from Thailand to China, with more to come.
The goal for this year is to deliver up to 120 refrigerated containers per day.
Chanthaburi is a major producer of Thai durians, and as such, it will become one of the key regions for exporting durians by train.
