Many durian farmers and exporters in Thailand have become millionaires by capitalizing on China’s growing demand for the pungent fruit. Apichet Chitfour left his job as a factory technician 29 years ago to invest in a durian business with his wife, Kanjana, a fruit seller. Their gamble paid off as demand surged from China, allowing them to establish Rachadurian Company, one of Thailand’s largest durian packaging firms.
“I never imagined we’d reach this level. Initially, our wholesale earnings ranged from 100 to 5,000 baht (US$2.70 to 138) a day. When we expanded to a larger market, we began making up to 100,000 baht. Now, with our own export business, we’re earning millions—hundreds of millions of baht,” he said. Their company exported over $2.7 million worth of durians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Chinese interest in durian continues to grow, Thailand has become the leading supplier. In the first four months of 2024, China imported 202,500 tons of fresh durian, with 60% sourced from Thailand, according to customs data.
Over the past decade, Thailand has dramatically increased its durian production. Output rose by 180% over the last 12 years, reaching 1.4 million tons last year, while the area devoted to cultivation expanded by 80%, as reported by Khaosod English.
Thai durian exports to China soared to $3.75 billion last year, a significant increase from $128 million in 2012, according to data from the United Nations Comtrade database. So far this year, exports have reached $2.4 billion, up 3-4% compared to the previous year. Thai exporters anticipate continued growth over the next five years as durians become popular in secondary Chinese cities.
To meet increasing demand, Apichet and Kanjana have built strong relationships with farmers nationwide, ensuring a year-round supply of seasonal fruit.
Despite tough competition from other suppliers, Thai farmers are confident in the superior taste and texture of their durians, honed through years of cultivation. For many in the Thai durian industry, their dreams are finally coming to fruition.
China’s appetite for durian has also transformed the lives of farmers in other leading suppliers like Vietnam, which accounted for 39.2% of the market share in early 2024. In Dak Lak Province’s Cu M’gar District, farmers have seen remarkable success, as reported by Nguoi Lao Dong.
Do Viet Hung, who has a 10-hectare durian orchard in Ea Tar Commune, achieved a harvest of over 300 tons last season, netting a profit of VND21 billion (US$827,000). Thai Thi Anh Hoa, vice chair of the Ea Tar People’s Committee, noted a shift from lower-value crops like rubber to durian cultivation. “Durian is fetching high prices this year, significantly improving farmers’ livelihoods here,” she said.
