Thailand warns farmers when China can grow durian

Thailand has advised farmers and exporters to improve the quality and freshness of durian as China has begun cultivating the fruit, with significant growth potential.

Sầu riêng được bày bán tại tỉnh Chanthaburi, Thái Lan. Ảnh: AFP/TTXVN — Durian for sale in Chanthaburi province, Thailand. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

The Thai Trade Promotion Office in Xiamen, China, said that China has produced durian in Hainan, selling it for 300 baht (207,000 VND) for 0.5 kg. This is considered a great success for the Chinese durian industry.

According to a report from China News Service, China has widely planted durians in areas such as Sanya and Yucai, both in Hainan. The durians have grown well, reaching the size of volleyballs. In 2024, about 500 trees began bearing fruit. The first batch of durians from Hainan is expected to hit the market by the end of June.

Hainan durians have been planted for four years and 2024 marks the first harvest. A four-year-old durian tree can produce up to 19 fruits, each weighing about 2kg. The Hainan durian harvest season lasts from June to August, with the peak expected in July.

It is estimated that durian will be grown on more than 6,600 hectares in Hainan in the next three to five years. But challenges include limited production capacity and unpredictable weather, including typhoons. The tree is fragile and cannot withstand strong winds. Although durian has been successfully grown in Hainan, the terrain is not yet ideal for the fruit.

Typically, durians are large, perennial fruit trees that thrive in temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, making them best suited to tropical climates like those in Southeast Asia. In May, Hainan durians began entering the Chinese market about a month earlier than expected, selling for around 60 yuan ($12) per pound. Because China has limited growing areas, supply is low, keeping prices high.

“China may be able to grow Hainan durians, marking an achievement for the country’s durian industry. However, this will not have a significant impact on China’s imports of Thai durians due to limited production. However, Thailand cannot be complacent because the Thai durian market may face competition from the emerging Hainan durian, which is gradually gaining recognition,” the Thai Trade Promotion Office in Xiamen analyzed.

Hainanese durians are said to have a mild odor. They have a creamy texture. The flesh of Hainanese durians sometimes resembles an unripe banana. Some critics have called them “virtually flavorless,” with many tasters describing them as “dry, hard, and bland.”

Although Hainan durian is becoming an alternative for Chinese consumers, Thai durian can still maintain its competitive edge if it maintains its quality and consumer trust.

According to data from Global Trade Atlas, China currently imports fresh durian from three Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. From January to April this year, China imported the most durian from Thailand, a total of 121,398 tons worth $717 million. This figure accounts for 65.6% of the market share. Vietnam is the second largest supplier with 79,186 tons worth $369 million, accounting for 33.8% of the market share. The Philippines ranked third, supplying 1,778 tons worth $5.8 million.

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