Overview

The Cross-Border Durian Traceability & Smart Farming pilot demonstrates how interoperable digital systems can enable safe, transparent, and efficient cross-border agrifood trade — starting with one of the region’s most valuable fruit exports: durian.

Led by TA 9916 and the Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), this pilot is a collaborative effort between key public and private sector partners in Thailand and China — helping position the durian value chain as a flagship model for the GMS Digitalization Action Plan.

Key Partners

• Supported under ADB TA 9916

• Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC)--lead government oversight partner

• NSTDA / NECTEC (Thailand)—Smart agriculture technologies

• GS1 Thailand and GS1 China — Global traceability standards

• FECC MARA (China) — Farm-level integration and market facilitation

• Durio Innovation Co. — Advanced traceability and compliance solutions

• China Quality Certification Centre (CCIC) — Cross-border certification
  
  
  

Pilot Components

• ✅ Globally Recognized Traceability Systems

• GS1 global standards applied to durian value chains

• Alignment with GS1 China platforms to ensure interoperability

• ✅ RFID and QR Technologies

• RFID tags and QR codes used to track durian from farm to market

• Enables real-time traceability and batch-level transparency

• ✅ IoT-Based Farm Management & Compliance Monitoring

• IoT sensors monitor orchard conditions, pest management, fruit maturity

• Data supports both on-farm decision-making and regulatory compliance

• ✅ Seamless Digital Integration with GS1 China Platforms

• Facilitates cross-border data exchange

• Supports compliance with Chinese import regulations

• Enhances buyer and consumer trust in durian product quality
  
  
  

Progress & Impact

• 🎯 Successful pilot shipments of durian from Thailand to China using this integrated traceability framework

• 🎯 Full farm-to-market data visibility achieved through combined IoT + traceability systems

• 🎯 Faster customs clearance and improved regulatory compliance

• 🎯 Positive market feedback from Chinese buyers

• 🎯 Identified as a replicable model for other fruit exports (e.g. mango, dragon-fruit, mangosteen)
  and other GMS cross-border value chains
  
  
  

Why This Matters

• ✅ Durian is a high-value, fast-growing export for Thailand and the GMS

• ✅ The China market demands high standards for traceability, food safety, and sustainability

• ✅ This pilot helps:

• Ensure regulatory compliance

• Enable premium market access

• Foster consumer confidence

• Lay the groundwork for a regional model of safe, sustainable trade
  
  
  

How It Supports GMS Digitalization Action Plan

✅ Entry Point II: Strengthening Food Safety & SPS Compliance

✅ Entry Point IV: Innovation & Piloting in Agriculture

✅ Supports cross-border interoperability

✅ Advances traceable, climate-smart, and commercially viable trade models

Next Steps & Scaling Opportunities

🎯 Expand adoption among more durian exporters and packing houses

🎯 Broaden integration with China’s digital certification systems

🎯 Extend this model to: Other fruit commodities, and other GMS cross-border value chains

🎯 Continue refining smart farm technologies and circular economy solutions (e.g. waste valorization)