Thailand’s durian export industry, a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy, is grappling with a significant setback after China rejected over 64,000 kilogrammes of the fruit due to contamination with a synthetic dye known as Basic Yellow 2 (BY2). The incident has sparked concerns about food safety standards, damaged Thailand’s reputation as a leading durian exporter, and prompted swift regulatory action from both Bangkok and Beijing.
On Thursday, Thailand’s Agriculture Department confirmed that 64,671 kilogrammes of durians, returned by Chinese authorities, were disposed of by burial at quarantine facilities in Laem Chabang deep seaport and the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint. The department’s Director-General, Rapeepat Chansriwong, revealed that laboratory tests verified the presence of BY2, a dye suspected to have been used by some exporters to artificially enhance the fruit’s yellow colour, making it more visually appealing to international buyers.
“Following China’s detection of BY2 contamination, they have introduced a new regulation requiring all durians exported from Thailand to undergo laboratory testing for the dye,” Rapeepat announced. In a further blow to the industry, export licences for 26 durian wholesalers implicated in the scandal have been suspended pending investigation. 
A Stain on Thailand’s Durian Trade
Durian, often dubbed the “king of fruits” for its pungent aroma and rich flavour, is a major export commodity for Thailand, particularly to China, which accounts for a significant share of the market. In 2023, Thailand exported durians worth over $4 billion, with China being the largest buyer, according to data from the Thai Ministry of Agriculture. The use of BY2, however, has cast a shadow over this lucrative trade, raising questions about oversight in the supply chain and the lengths to which some exporters may go to meet aesthetic demands.
The practice of dipping durians in dye to enhance their colour is not new, but it has rarely resulted in such large-scale rejections. While BY2 is not explicitly banned in Thailand for food use, its application to durians for export appears to violate China’s stringent food safety standards. If confirmed, this incident could indicate a broader issue of non-compliance among exporters, potentially driven by intense competition in a market where visual appeal can significantly influence buyer decisions.
The exact cause of the contamination remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine whether the dye was applied intentionally or through cross-contamination during processing. Rapeepat noted that the Agriculture Department is revising the export manual for durians to prevent future incidents, though specifics on the proposed changes have not been disclosed.
Economic Ripples and Trade Tensions
The rejection of such a large shipment by China, Thailand’s largest durian market, is more than a logistical hiccup—it poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of farmers and exporters across the country. Durian cultivation is a major source of income for rural communities, particularly in Thailand’s eastern and southern regions, where smallholder farmers rely on export revenues to sustain their families.
“This incident could have a chilling effect on trade relations with China,” said Dr. Somsak Prachai, an agricultural economist based in Bangkok. “If trust in Thai durians is eroded, exporters may face declining demand or stricter import controls, both of which would hurt the bottom line.” While no official figures have been released on the financial losses from this specific rejection, industry insiders estimate the value of the buried durians to be in the millions of baht.
Beyond immediate economic impacts, the scandal risks straining Thailand-China trade relations at a time when Bangkok is keen to deepen ties with Beijing through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. Agriculture has long been a pillar of this relationship, with durians symbolising the mutual benefits of trade. If further contamination cases emerge, China may impose even tougher regulations, potentially affecting other Thai agricultural exports.
Food Safety and Consumer Trust
At the heart of this crisis lies a broader issue of food safety and consumer trust. While there is no definitive evidence that BY2 poses a direct health risk in the quantities used on durians, its application to food products raises ethical and regulatory concerns. Chinese consumers, increasingly wary of food safety scandals, have taken to social media platforms like Weibo to express outrage over the incident, with some calling for a boycott of Thai durians until stricter controls are in place.
In Thailand, the public response has been mixed. While some defend the exporters, arguing that the use of dyes is a common practice to meet market expectations, others see it as a betrayal of trust. “We pride ourselves on the quality of our durians,” said Nattapong Srisuk, a durian farmer from Chanthaburi province. “If a few bad actors are ruining it for everyone, the government must act quickly to restore confidence.”
The Agriculture Department’s decision to suspend the licences of 26 wholesalers signals an intent to crack down on malpractice, but questions remain about enforcement. Thailand’s durian supply chain is notoriously fragmented, involving countless small-scale farmers, middlemen, and exporters. Tracking the origin of contamination in such a complex network is a daunting task, and without robust oversight, similar incidents could recur.
Regulatory Reforms and Future Outlook
In response to China’s new testing requirements, Thai authorities are under pressure to overhaul their export protocols. The revision of the durian export manual, as promised by Rapeepat, could include mandatory testing for chemical residues before shipment, stricter certification processes for wholesalers, and harsher penalties for non-compliance. However, implementing these changes will require coordination between government agencies, exporters, and farmers—a process that could take months, if not years.
There is also the question of whether Thailand can afford to lose even a small share of the Chinese market. With other durian-producing countries like Vietnam and Malaysia ramping up their exports to China, Thailand faces growing competition. Vietnam, in particular, has made significant inroads in recent years, benefiting from lower production costs and proximity to China. If Thai durians are perceived as unreliable, buyers may turn to these alternatives, further eroding Thailand’s market dominance.
On a more speculative note, if reforms to export standards are not accompanied by financial support for smallholder farmers, the burden of compliance could disproportionately affect those least equipped to adapt. Smaller producers may struggle to afford testing or certification fees, potentially driving them out of the export market altogether. While no concrete data supports this outcome yet, it remains a plausible concern that policymakers must address.
A Call for Transparency
As investigations into the BY2 contamination continue, transparency will be key to rebuilding trust. The Thai government must not only identify and penalise those responsible but also communicate clearly with both domestic stakeholders and international partners about the steps being taken to prevent future violations. China’s decision to mandate laboratory testing for all incoming durian shipments is a clear signal that it will not tolerate lapses in food safety, and Thailand must rise to the challenge.
For now, the burial of over 64,000 kilogrammes of durians serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of global trade networks. What began as a seemingly minor issue of aesthetics—enhancing the yellow hue of a fruit—has spiralled into a crisis with far-reaching implications for Thailand’s economy, reputation, and agricultural future. How the country responds in the coming weeks and months will determine whether this incident is a temporary setback or a lasting stain on its durian trade.
