Pre-CIIE: China’s imports of fruits to grow with big appetite for durians, coconuts
Rising awareness of health, food security and appetite for durian are key growth drivers for imported fruits in mainland China
Growers of durian and coconut in Southeast Asia are expecting a hectic time ahead as they grapple with rising demand from mainland Chinese buyers who prefer high-quality fresh fruits against the backdrop of a weak consumption market.
“The growth trajectory remains robust and we foresee surging demand [for the fruit] next month,” he said in an interview, adding that Malaysian durians were the most sought-after by consumers among imported fruits. “We have got the logistics and warehousing arrangements ready to better serve the market.”
Malaysia started exporting fresh durians to China last year, shipping 24.8 million ringgit (US$5.9 million) worth of them between August and December, according to data from Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. In the first four months this year, Malaysia’s share of the durian market in China had grown tenfold, Guo added.
Thailand held a 57 per cent share of China’s US$6.99 billion durian market in 2024, Chinese customs data showed.
