Only potatoes for processing are eligible for export. Potatoes for consumption are PROHIBITED.
Original and certified translation of the import permit must be presented to the Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.
Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.
Exporter to provide evidence attesting to the endorsement and to present to the Authorised Officer approved by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources at time of inspection.
The Thailand Ministry of Public Health, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires packhouses to implement good practice requirements. Further information regarding these requirements can be found
here.
Potatoes produced in all states in Australia are permitted to import into Thailand except potatoes which have been produced in the following areas:
- Potatoes produced in potato cyst nematode regulated areas; and
- Potatoes produced in land which as a result of soil test has been found to be contaminated with potato cyst nematode
To mitigate the risk associated with nematodes and the presence of infected tubers, potatoes imported for processing must be subjected to one of the following phytosanitary measures.
- Potatoes must be washed so as to be practically free of visible soil; or
- In case of unwashed potatoes, the tubers must be thoroughly brushed so as to be practically free of soil. The weight of loose soil shall not exceed 100 grm per 50 kg potatoes (equivalent to 0.2 % soil by weight).
For caked soil, potatoes which have more than 20 % of the surface of the tuber with caked soil should not exceed 30 tubers in a 600 unit sample (equivalent to 5 %). In addition, the potatoes must be treated with a sprout inhibitor.
Exporters should note that potatoes imported for processed must be processed in facilities registered and approved by DOA.
List of quarantine pests of potatoes for processing and associated soil from Australia:
- Potato rot nematode (Ditylenchus destructor)
- Stem & bulb nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci)
- Golden nematode (Globodera rostochiensis)
- False Columbia root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne fallax)
