Thailand becomes world top exporter of durian

BANGKOK, September 13 (TNA) - The Ministry of Commerce says that Thailand is now the world's top exporter of durian, with the country's shipment of durian to overseas markets this year expected to reach about 50 billion baht. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Commerce Wichai Phochanakij told journalists of the update on September 12, acknowledging that Thailand's exports of durian last year stood at about 600,000 tons, totally worth about 30 billion baht. Wichai stated that Thailand's exports of durian during the first seven months of this year stood at about 24 billion baht. According to the senior official, his ministry has, thus, projected that Thailand's exports of durian, which is recognized as the "king of fruits" in Southeast Asia, should reach about 50 billion baht in 2018. (TNA)