Since 2019, Hainan has been carrying out large-scale planting of durian. The current planted area stands at about 15,000 mu. According to Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the planted area is expected to reach over 30,000 mu within two years. Planted varieties mainly include Musang King, Blackthorn, and Monthong. Areas with considerable planted size include Sanya, Ledong, Baoting, Lingshui, and Qiongzhong, while small-scale trials are being carried out in areas such as Wanning, Qionghai, and Ding'an.
Recently, Hainan province was visited by cold snaps, greatly affecting the tropical fruit trees planted in the province, especially durian trees. From January 18th to 21st, the Durian Innovation team of the Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences visited 15 durian growing centers in 8 cities to conduct surveys and provide planting technical guidance.
According to the expert team, the durian growing industry in Hainan has just started, and the main planted varieties are imported from Southeast Asian countries located in the tropics, whose adaptability and tolerance to the colder weather need experiments and observation. It is recommended that growers plant durians with caution. For the central areas, growers may plant relatively cold-resistant varieties in sheltered areas, and for the southern areas, growers may adjust the variety structure according to the degree of cold damage.
China is the world's largest consumer of durian, with an annual sales volume of more than 500,000 tons. Hainan, the only tropical island in China, has similar climatic conditions to those of Thailand and Malaysia, the main durian producing countries, therefore holds huge business opportunities.
Source: Fruit Critic
