Southeast Asian fruit farmers under the epidemic have suffered heavy losses due to export difficulties to China

The article highlights the significant challenges faced by fruit farmers in Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the problems encountered in exporting their produce, particularly dragon fruit from Vietnam and watermelons from Myanmar. The pandemic has disrupted traditional export routes, leading to prolonged border closures, high shipping costs, and difficulties in preserving perishable goods. This has resulted in massive losses and financial distress for farmers, with some facing heavy debt and shifting their focus to less profitable crops. Thai fruit exporters are also grappling with similar issues, as their products are typically exported to China via Vietnam and Laos. In response, Thailand is developing a disinfectant for durian packaging to meet Chinese market standards and is predicting a boost in durian production. The report underscores the severe impact of the pandemic on the agricultural sector in Southeast Asia, especially due to the reliance on the Chinese market and the disruption of normal export operations.