Thailand and China have agreed to open five new import-export checkpoints for fresh fruit under the Third Country Fruit Transport Protocol, effective September 1, 2025. The measure aims to reduce transport costs, ease congestion at existing crossings, and facilitate faster distribution of Thai fruit to Chinese provinces.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn said the two countries have updated the annex of the protocol to include quarantine and inspection measures for fruit transported through third countries. The changes are intended to streamline agricultural product transport and expand market opportunities.
Following ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, through the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), it was agreed that Thailand will add three checkpoints: Thung Chang in Nan province, Ban Huak in Phayao province, and Phu Du in Uttaradit province. China will add two checkpoints: Mengkang and Taluo in Yunnan province. This will bring the total to nine checkpoints for fresh fruit exports in Thailand and twelve in China.
"This expansion of checkpoints is a major step forward, creating new transport routes that will provide farmers and operators with more opportunities to reduce transport costs, reduce congestion during peak fruit seasons, and speed up the distribution of Thai fruit to various provinces in China. This will significantly enhance the competitiveness of Thai fruit in the Chinese market," Artthakorn said.
ACFS Secretary-General Chaiwat Yothakol noted that the protocol was signed on September 13, 2021, between Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and GACC. It allows for the transport of fruit through third countries without route restrictions, with additional checkpoints added through mutual agreement.
In 2024, Thailand's fresh fruit exports to China are forecast to exceed US$4.96 billion, with China remaining Thailand's largest fruit export market and a key driver of agricultural exports. The addition of the five new checkpoints is expected to increase the value of Thai agricultural trade and broaden market access in the coming years.
Source: The Nation