One Thai fruit exporter, World Food Alliance Co., Ltd, shared to SEM Tridge-Thailand that the Thai DOA has been forced by the GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) to strictly implement "Chlorine Di-Oxide" with every durian and mangosteen packing house to disinfect COVID-19 before exporting through to China.
Work Instructions (Every packhouse must perform): 1. Must apply Chlorine Dioxide spray on the floor of the working area every day before starting work. 2. Employees must undergo ATK testing and must go through a chlorine dioxide spraying tunnel to kill COVID-19 before entering the working area. 3. Spray chlorine dioxide to disinfectant on the package of fruits before moving them into containers.
Every packhouse has been audited by a Thai DOA specialist and GACC officer, receiving a confirmation document enclosed with their fruit packaging as well as Phytosanitary Certification. This enforcement comes from the detection of eight infected durian containers at the Mohan checkpoint. This will directly impact the cost to exporters which will be reflected in the offer price of durians and mangosteens which will be in season in early May. The selling price of durian and mangosteen in each market in China might increase.