CHINA’S tropical island province of Hainan is now reaping the fruits of years of agricultural experimentation, as home-grown durians enter the market for the first time at scale, marking a turning point for the country’s durian cultivation ambitions.
Long reliant on imports, China is the world’s largest importer and consumer of durians. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, import volumes soared from 298,800 tonnes in 2015 to approximately 1.56 million tonnes in 2024.
Bernama-Xinhua reported that to meet this surging demand and reduce dependence on overseas supply, China has turned to domestic cultivation, with Hainan emerging as the focal point due to its tropical climate and favourable ecological conditions.
At a durian planting base in the Yucai ecological zone of Sanya City, trees are now heavy with golden, aromatic fruit. “Growing durians in China wasn’t easy,” said Lang Haibo, a representative from the base. “It took years of effort, experimentation and perseverance.”
Initially, many doubted whether China’s climate could sustain durian farming. The trees require three to five years to bear fruit, making the endeavour risky and capital-intensive. “Supportive policies, technological innovation and integrated industry development have been crucial,” Lang added.
To scale up the industry, local authorities introduced a series of subsidies for farmers and agricultural enterprises, covering the distribution of saplings, technical training and guaranteed procurement agreements. In turn, agribusinesses have shared cultivation know-how with smallholders, helping to raise production standards and rural incomes.
In Mingshan Village, Sanya, a cooperative model has emerged, linking farmers, associations and enterprises. While waiting for durian trees to mature, farmers have practised intercropping with pineapple, betel and banana to generate interim revenue.
“We have long-term cooperation with enterprises. Once the trees start fruiting, we expect annual revenue of about 2 million yuan (US$280,000),” said Cai Jun, a local village official.
Smart agriculture technology is also playing an increasing role in ensuring productivity. The use of automated irrigation, artificial rainfall systems and integrated water-fertiliser equipment has enabled precise climate control. Pest detection tools, spore analysers and big data platforms now allow real-time monitoring of tree health.
“We can now track the health and nutrition needs of every tree in real time,” Lang said.
Durians are now cultivated across several locations in Hainan, including Ledong, Baoting, Lingshui and Sanya, covering over 10,000 mu (approximately 667 hectares). This year’s harvest is expected to yield around 2,000 tonnes of locally grown fruit.
Lang acknowledged that, for now, domestic durians are priced higher than imported varieties due to the industry’s relatively small scale and recent establishment. “What we can offer, though, is superior freshness and flavour thanks to local smart farming and shorter supply chains,” he said. - July 22, 2025
