BANGKOK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Thai durian traders have been warned by the authorities to never deal in unripe fruit, otherwise they may be faced with a fine or jail term, said a senior government official on Wednesday.

All durian vendors have been suggested to make sure that their fruit is edible and ripe and that no unripe fruit will be allowed either for a domestic or export market, according to Department of Agriculture Extension spokesperson Daret Kittiyophat.

Those who might possibly offer unripe durian for sales will be legally subject to a maximum of 60,000 baht (about 1,910 U.S. dollars) in fine or a maximum of three years in prison or both, she said.

An estimated 400,000 tons of durian are expected during current harvest season from plantations in Thailand's eastern provinces of Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat, according to the department's official.

The spokesperson confirmed that the Thai durian, mostly bound for export to China and currently selling for up to 110 baht (about 3.5 U.S. dollars) per kilogram, is to be certified as a quality product under the Good Agricultural Practice. Enditem

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