Could Thai durian export duty mean higher prices, higher quality in China?

A Thai government proposal to charge export duties on durians, a major cash crop, could raise prices for the fruit in China – its primary market – along with the quality, analysts said.

Thailand’s draft bill to establish a fund for research and “sustainable” development of the durian sector would include the collection of fees, the government’s public relations department said last month.

Southeast Asian media outlets and agricultural publications have tipped the export duty to be as high as 2 baht (5 US cents) per kilogram.