In 2021, the import value of durian reached $4.21 billion in China, an increase of 82.4% over 2020. The import volume was 822,000 tons, an increase of 42.7% over 2020. The total import value of imported fruits in the whole year reached US$13.47 billion, an increase of 30.9% year-on-year, and the total import volume reached 7.027 million tons, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year.
Both the import value and volume of durian ranked first. Considering that there was a lockdown in Dongxing, Fangcheng, Guangxi province, at the end of last year, due to an outbreak of COVID-19, the inspection on trucks at the border was stricter and a lot of them could not enter. Otherwise, the import would have definitely been more.
Most of the imported durians came from Thailand, especially the Monthong durian. It is golden yellow and looks like a golden pillow. Generally, there were two ways for the imported durians to enter China. One was to ship to Dongxing Customs and then distribute to all parts of the country. The other was to ship to Vietnam first, then enter through Pingxiang, Guangxi province, and send them on to the whole country. Guangxi is the largest distribution center after Thai durians have entered China. Some durians were transported directly to the eastern coastal provinces by ship as these fruits can be stored for a long time.
There were durian imports from other regions as well. Malaysian Musang King is the best variety of durian, and its quality is perfect. There were also durians imported from Cambodia, Vietnam, and other countries, but there was a large gap in the volumes compared to Thailand. The importing route for the fruits from these countries was almost the same as the two mentioned above.
It is very difficult to increase the yield of durian as it requires a rather long growing time which usually takes about eight years to bear fruits. For countries with poor economic conditions, it is not easy to wait for such a long time without harvesting. Durian is a tropical fruit, and the range of growing regions is limited. The climate in most regions in China is not suitable for growing the fruit, and it is just difficult. All of this has led to the high price of durian in China, and it even exceeds the price of cherries shipped from Chile thousands of miles away.
Source: Jian Guo Tian Gua