China’s durian output to quadruple in 2024, processing poised to permeate with demand ‘on a rapid rise’

Chinese-produced durian is set to be available to the public in July, with production from the tropical island of Hainan likely to quadruple to 200 tonnes this year

Thailand and Vietnam, though, are set to remain the largest sources of the popular pungent fruit, with demand from China ‘on a rapid rise’

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Vietnamese durian shipments into China reached 45 million kilograms in the first quarter, compared to 27.3 million kilograms from Thailand. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:00am, 24 Apr 2024

China expects to quadruple home-grown durian output this year as demand for the pungent fruit has shown no signs of abating, while its two top suppliers - Thailand and Vietnam - are aiming to consolidate their market dominance and tap further into the burgeoning industrial chain.

Domestically grown durians were introduced last year from the tropical island of Hainan- the only Chinese province with a climate to nurture the tropical fruit – but typhoons have kept output to 50 tonnes (110,000 pounds). That would account for only about 0.005 per cent of all the durian eaten in China last year.

Chinese-produced durians are likely to be available to the public in July, with production likely to reach 200 tonnes by the end of the year, Feng Xuejie, director of the Institute of Tropical Fruit Trees at the Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said on Monday.

The thorn-covered “king of fruits” has persistently enjoyed popularity both from price-conscious consumers and the middle class, who are looking for high quality. Prices range from 70 yuan (US$9.7) up to 200 yuan per fruit without the rind.

Durian has also become a latecomer in China’s US$1 trillion-plus food processing industry.

Some producers have already innovated with a range of processed durian products, such as cakes, bubble tea, coffee and even hotpot, which are more affordable than fresh durian, and have become increasingly popular among younger consumers.

Huang Zheng’en, the president of Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said the province should expand its industrial chain to increase the value of durian products and nurture local brands.

“Hainan should launch a durian processing industry based on the production scale, to lengthen the industry chain of this product, and increase their added value,” Huang said, the Hainan Daily reported in January.