China's Durian Ambitions Take Root in Hainan

With over 200,000 durian trees, the Hainan Youqi Agricultural Company is pioneering China's domestic durian production. Since 2018, Hainan's tropical climate has made it the epicenter of this burgeoning industry.

Record Yields and Growing Demand

From a modest 50 tons in 2023, Youqi's harvest skyrocketed to 260 tons last year, with projections of 500-600 tons this year. "These durians are pre-sold at the ping-pong-ball size," says Du Baizhong, highlighting the booming demand.

Challenges and Realities

Despite rapid growth, China's durian industry faces hurdles: higher costs, limited experience, and vulnerability to typhoons. "We are not a real competitor to Southeast Asia," admits Du, pointing to the vast import volumes dwarfing domestic production.

Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Experts like Feng Xuejie advocate for a high-quality, niche market strategy, inspired by Japan's agricultural model. Meanwhile, research into cold-resistant varieties and expansion into regions like Yunnan signals long-term ambitions.

Southeast Asia's Unshaken Dominance

With record imports of $6.99 billion in 2023, Thailand and Vietnam remain China's primary durian suppliers, underscoring the gap between domestic production and insatiable demand.