The TMB Bank Economic Research Center recently announced that the export volume of Thai durian increased for the 5th year in a row, despite an overall decline of the Thai export volume as a result of global economic developments. The average growth of Thai durian export over the last 5 years is more than 37%. Thailand is quickly becoming the largest exporter of durian in the world. Data shows that the export value of Thai durian exceeded 10.9 billion yuan [1.55 billion USD] in the first 9 months of the year. Traders hope the durian export value will exceed 11.2 billion yuan [1.59 billion USD] by the end of this year. That would be a new record. China is the largest export market for Thai durian. China is also the largest durian importer in the world. Chinese durian import accounts for 65% of the global durian import.
The Economic Research Center began to study the durian industry in Thailand in 2014. Research results show that durian production and marketing continue to grow in Thailand. The overall surface area devoted to durian plantation in Thailand reached 1,344 square kilometer this year. There are 617 companies active in the purchase, selection, and packaging of durian. 35 of these companies are Chinese. There are an additional 216 companies active in durian export. Around 30% of these companies are Chinese. There are 2 Chinese companies in the top-10 largest durian exporters in Thailand.
Source: cri.cn