Thai durian enjoys a bounty as Chinese demand surges

“While some may view durian as a fruit with a strong taste, and others complain about its distinctive smell, we anticipate that demand for durian will rise by up to 400% annually, primarily fuelled by the growing popularity of durian in China,” HSBC Bank’s Asean region economist Aris Dacanay said.

China has become the world’s leading importer of durian, accounting for a staggering 91% of the global durian market in the past two years, with a total value of US$6 billion. Durian has gained immense popularity in China, where consumers not only see it as a fruit but also as a symbol of generosity when given as a gift to friends and relatives during engagement ceremonies.

Demand for durian began to rise in China in early 2017. Often referred to as the “King of Fruits”, it sells for more than U$10 per kilogram in China, compared to an average price in Southeast Asian countries of…