Storm batters Si Sa Ket durian orchards, losses hit B39m

SI SA KET: A summer storm caused extensive damage to durian plantations in Kantharalak district, toppling hundreds of trees and wiping out tonnes of Thailand’s economic crop just days before harvest, local officials said on Thursday.

Following the storm, district chief Somkuan Singkham ordered an urgent survey in tambon Phu Ngern, where strong winds and thunderstorms hit five villages, damaging durian orchards belonging to 110 farmers.

The affected fruit is a geographical indication (GI) product known as “Sisaket Volcanic Area Durian,” grown in Khun Han, Kantharalak and Si Rattana districts. Popular varieties include Monthong, Chanee and Kanyao, prized for their creamy texture, mild aroma and relatively dry flesh.

Preliminary surveys found that about 450 durian trees were uprooted or broken, while an estimated 390 tonnes of immature fruit — aged between 70 and 110 days — were knocked to the ground. Losses from the fallen fruit alone were put at around 39 million baht.

A 71-year-old farmer, Lin Srisuttham, said he had already secured a buyer offering 100 baht per kilogramme, with harvest scheduled for April 25. However, the storm destroyed about 3,000 kg of his crop.

He said he had invested between 300,000 and 400,000 baht in the orchard and now felt disheartened by the losses.

District agriculture officials said damage assessments are ongoing, with assistance to be provided in line with government regulations.

The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office reported that storms between Tuesday and Wednesday affected Si Rattana, Khukhan, Kantharalak and Phu Sing districts, damaging 113 houses, animal shelters and farm structures across 26 villages. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

This year, the government’s Department of Internal Trade expected Thai durian exports to face several hurdles due to labour shortages and a lack of collection centres during the harvest season. Durian supply is forecast to reach 1.78 million tonnes this year.

In January, fresh durian exports jumped to 10.31 billion baht, while frozen durian exports plunged to 439 million baht, according to the Ministry of Commerce.