The Intellectual Property Rights Department has included Chumphon durian as the sixth Geographical Indication (GI) product of the southern province of Chumphon, after Pa Thieu yellow rice, the Leb Mue Nang Chumphon banana, Khao Thalu coffee, Tham Singh Chumphon coffee and the Lamae Hom Thong banana.
The department’s director-general, Oramon Sapthaveetham, attributed the GI listing of Chumphon durian to its special characteristics, namely its round shape, like the Monthong variety, thin husk, thick creamy flesh, soft and sticky texture, soft yellow colour, its sweet, mild aroma and small seeds.
She said that this combination characterises Chumphon durian as unique to the province and distinguishable from the same variety grown elsewhere, adding that Chumphon has been an important source of durian for more than eight decades and the area used for its cultivation has steadily increased, because of the ideal weather conditions and fertile soil, making the variety outstanding and in high demand in local and overseas markets.
There are currently more than 1,400 growers in the province, producing about 222,000 tonnes of the variety annually, generating 31.8 billion baht in revenue each year, with the main overseas markets being China, South Korea and the US.
The GI listing reflects the success in the development and protection of Thailand’s GI products, said Oramon, adding that the department is determined to promote GI products to increase Thailand’s competitiveness and to promote its products in the global market.
