China’s Durian Imports Surge in the First Half of 2023

China's durian imports from January to July 2023 totaled 989 thousand tons, marking a 56.36% year-on-year (YoY) increase in volume and a 61.94% increase in import value, amounting to USD 4.52 million (CNY 32.89 million). The primary sources of fresh durian imports were Thailand (76.22%), Vietnam (23.72%), and the Philippines (0.05%).

Thailand contributed 753.86 thousand tons with a value of USD 3.53 million (CNY 25.73 million) and an average import price of USD 4.69/kg (CNY 34.14/kg). Vietnam supplied 234.62 thousand tons, valued at USD 982.64 thousand (CNY 7.15 million), with an average import price of USD 4.19/kg (CNY 30.48/kg). The Philippines provided 512 tons, amounting to USD 1.78 million (CNY 13 million), with an average import price of USD 3.68/kg (CNY 26.75/kg).

Among Chinese provinces, Guangdong Province showed the highest affinity for importing durian, accounting for 31.42% of the total imports. Other significant importing regions included Guangxi Zhuang Province (17.09%), Yunnan Province (14.45%), Zhejiang Province (11.11%), and Chongqing City (6.99%).

When it comes to the origin of durian imports, 'Thai Durian' remained dominant in Guangdong Province (36.36% of imported volume from Thailand), Yunnan Province (15.95%), Guangxi Zhuang Province (13.23%), Zhejiang Province (9.32%), and Chongqing (7.66%). 'Vietnamese durian' made headway in traditional Thai markets, with significant imports to Guangxi Zhuang Province (29.51% of imported volume from Vietnam), Zhejiang Province (16.76%), Guangdong Province (15.62%), Yunnan Province (9.68%), and Jiangsu Province (5.81%). 'Pinnis Durian' imports were distributed across Zhejiang Province (29.51% of the imported quantity from the Philippines), Shanghai (23.67%), Guangdong Province (13.34%), Hunan Province (1.43%), and Shaanxi Province (0.70%).