3-8-2023 (3-8-2023) Durian, a fruit known for its sinfully creamy flesh, has become a popular commodity in China. For the past four years, China has grown durian trees on Hainan Island, with the aim of turning durian production into one of its key industries, according to a report by The Straits Times. Currently, approximately 670 hectares in Sanya, a city in Hainan Island, are devoted to the crop. Thanks to the city’s tropical climate with mild winters, conditions are suitable for growth of the thorny fruit.
To develop the crop, agricultural specialists from Southeast Asia reportedly helped to plant the durian trees, while Chinese specialists improved the imported seeds to better suit local weather conditions. In 2022, durian was China’s number one imported fruit, reaching a total import volume of 825,000 tonnes and a value of US$4.03 billion (S$5.4 billion), as per data from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA). Over 60% of durians in China are bought by consumers aged between 16 to 35, according to data released by Jingdong Supermarket in November 2022.
However, there are concerns about the taste of China-grown durians. Shea Driscoll, a Hong Kong-based Singaporean journalist, wrote an article on South China Morning Post (SCMP) about his experience of trying the China-grown fruit. Upon opening it, he was not hit by the familiar, pungent smell, and the colour was also a little off and more pale than the usual golden hue. The taste was too light on the palate, and he concluded that it felt more like a “prototype of a proper durian.” His colleagues shared similar sentiments, with one describing the taste as “weak” and another saying “it tastes like nothing.”
While China aims to become a significant player in the durian market, it remains to be seen whether its durian production can match the quality and taste of the fruit grown in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, which are currently the world’s largest durian exporters.
