China is one of the largest consumers of durian in the world. However, as a result of border trade policy the only county with permission to export fresh durian to China is Thailand. More than 75% of the fresh durian consumed by Chinese customers comes from Thailand. Data from the Chanthaburi District 6 Agricultural Research Center shows that Thailand exported durian to 48 countries in 2018. The overall export volume reached 490 million kg, 343 million kg of which went to China.
The enormous economic potential of durian production has made more than one durian farmer quite wealthy. Furthermore, keen Chinese traders spotted this commercial opportunity early. They made deep investments in durian production areas in Thailand to make sure they received their share of this growing market.
According to the Thailand Headline, the vice-secretary of the Office for Agricultural Economy in the Thai Ministry of Agriculture announced figures for durian trade in the first quarter of 2019. There are 4,121 GAP-certified durian producers in east Thailand alone. The surface area devoted to GAP-certified durian plantation increased by 77%.
Durian demand exceeds supply. Durian have a long way to go from the production area across the border and onto the plate of Chinese consumers. This journey includes plantation, technical support, harvest labor, selection and processing, cleaning, packing, transport, and quarantine inspection.
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Source: pagoda.com.cn