Chinese are keen consumers of the spiky fruit known as durian. The fruit is imported from countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. But prices are usually high due to transport costs. Now, China is getting ready for the harvest of its first domestic durian crop this summer after more than four years of cultivation. About 2.45 million kilograms of durian produced on the tropical island of Hainan in southern China will go on sale in June. At the Durian Base in Sanya, 93.3 hectares of durian trees are bearing young fruit, with an estimated yield of 116.64 kilograms per hectare and an estimated output value of 6,665 yuan per hectare
Sanya is aiming to construct a durian industrial estate spanning 3,333 hectares within the next three to five years, which is anticipated to generate an output value of 5 billion yuan (USS727 million) by 2028. Analysts say Chinese-grown durian could reduce domestic prices, deepen "dual circulation" and boost international agricultural cooperation. But the key to its success is whether consumers will find it palatable.
Source: bangkokpost.com