Thailand’s Durian Exports to China are Expected to Increase as Shipping Infrastructure Improves

Published 2022년 7월 21일

Thailand produces a large volume of durians, which are primarily exported to China. The Thai speciality is enjoyed in China throughout the entire year, with Thailand exporting large volumes. As harvest month for durians starts in 2022, durian production is expected to record a YoY increase of 20%. The Thai trade agency expects their export streams to grow at 9.8% in 2022 to reach a value of over USD 3 billion, despite the stringent COVID-19 restrictions imposed by China in 2022. Fruit exports from Thailand will further be driven by easy access to Chinese markets with more flights and shipments operating between the two countries, specifically for the purpose of fruit exports.

As we enter into the third week of July, Durians are already high in supply in Thailand. According to Petchpimol Vithyanond, Tridge’s Global Origination Manager in Thailand, the durian harvest in southern areas of Thailand started in July. According to the preliminary estimates, the availability and harvesting of durians will take place all year long. In 2022, durian production in southern Thailand is expected to increase YoY by 20%, reaching a total tonnage of 721,000 tons. The country produces over 20 common varieties of durian, but the Monthong ("golden pillow") and Chanee ("gibbon") varieties are the most popular ones for export. The country exports large volumes of these two varieties to China, and it is expected that, with improved production conditions, the volume of exports will increase even further in 2022.

In the last couple of years, the demand for durian has been exceptionally high in China, where Thai durians are always in demand. In fact, about 90% of the durian produced in Thailand has been exported to China in the last 2-3 years. According to the data of Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in 2021, Thailand exported 875 thousand tonnes of durian to China, which was worth around USD 2.5 billion. The agency expects that the export stream will grow by 9.8% in 2022 to reach a value of over USD 3 billion. Contrary to these positive forecasts , durian exports to China fell drastically in the first half of 2022 as the COVID-19 outbreak led to many restrictions on the import of goods into mainland China, due to its Zero-COVID policy.

As the situation came under control and leverage was given to fruit importers, it is expected that Thailand’s durian exports will pick up pace again. In addition, according to News Daily, one of the first cargo flights, Nation Thailand, carried Thai durians, landing at Nanning Airport in Guangxi, China. This marks a new shipment route for Thailand’s exports to China. Adding to this, Danaiwat Jaidech, Tridge’s Global Origination Manager in Thailand, says that China, Laos, and Thailand are likely to consider opening an expressway in collaboration for durian and agricultural products from Thailand. Thai fruit and vegetable growers and exporters anticipate that shipping will take them through Laos to China's Mohan Cargo Terminal. By the 2023 fruit season, Thai agricultural products, particularly durians, will have more convenient access to the Chinese market. With such favorable conditions, the outlook for Thailand’s durian exports to China remains positive in the upcoming months, and it is likely that the country will reach its target of USD 12 billion worth of durian exports.