Xinhua News Agency Economic Essay: Looking at the Opportunities of China's Large Market from a Durian

The price has dropped to more than 20 yuan per kilogram, and supermarkets and community fruit shops have piled up small hills. Some cities have launched durian self-service... This year, Southeast Asian durians are abundant and efficiently exported to China. The "noble fruits" that were once priced high and difficult to chop off are now entering thousands of households in China with richer categories and more friendly prices.

The small durian is growing into an increasingly large market.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, the import volume of fresh durian in China will reach 1.868 million tons in 2025, with an import value of approximately 7.49 billion US dollars. This is equivalent to over 5000 tons of durian entering China every day. Looking back, in 2015, China imported only 299000 tons of fresh durian; In the past decade, the scale has multiplied several times. Industry reports predict that China's durian imports will approach 2 million tons this year, and the retail market size is expected to exceed 82 billion yuan.

Durian is selling well, which is a vivid manifestation of the upgrading and release of strong vitality in the Chinese consumer market. Currently, China's per capita GDP has exceeded 13000 US dollars, and residents' consumption is accelerating towards positive development and quality. More and more people are willing to pay for high-quality goods and services. The continuously increasing purchasing power and upgrading consumer demand, when met with high-quality and delicious imported fruits, will naturally stimulate more purchasing intentions and generate more business opportunities.

A durian, spanning mountains and seas. The consumer demand in the Chinese market has turned into a continuous stream of orders, driving new changes in the supply side. As one of the world's largest producers and exporters of durian, Thailand strictly controls the quality of durian exports and the scale of durian exports to China continues to grow; Malaysia is positioned in the high-end market, bringing high-quality varieties such as Blackthorn and Cat Mountain King; Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and other countries are actively expanding their presence in the Chinese market, introducing technology and accelerating crop growth. The predictable market demand has prompted Southeast Asian farmers and businesses to increase their investment and continue to expand their supply capacity.

Durian has a short storage period, and it only takes 48 hours from picking in the production area to placing it on the shelves of major supermarkets. Behind the smooth entry of a durian is more convenient and efficient customs clearance conditions, as well as a stronger and smoother logistics network.

The construction of the Western Land Sea New Corridor has enabled Southeast Asian fresh fruits to be delivered to various parts of China at an unprecedented speed. On the "Lancang Mekong Express Line" of the China Laos Railway, the cold chain train loaded with fresh durian arrived in Kunming in 26 hours, and the fresh durian was quickly distributed to more than 30 cities, including Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, through the combined transportation of highway and railway. The Friendship Pass Port in Pingxiang, Guangxi has become a busy "fruit aroma channel", and the construction of a smart port helps to quickly clear customs for fruits. On average, 2 out of every 5 imported durians enter through this port.

Hard connectivity is improving, and soft connectivity is also making efforts. The continuous upgrading of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area, the deepening implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and the combination of benefits such as tariff reductions and customs facilitation have further released multiplier effects, opening up new space for trade cooperation.

Not just durian. Thai mangosteen, Mexican avocado, Chilean cherries... More categories, larger quantities, and high-quality agricultural products from more countries are increasingly popular among Chinese consumers. More and more farmers and businesses in various countries are realizing that by seizing the pace of China's consumption expansion and upgrading, and relying on China's opening-up policy, they can expand their sales channels and share dividends in the Chinese market.

The demand on the tip of the tongue drives the comprehensive upgrading of production, logistics, trade, and rules. In recent years, China's economic and trade cooperation with ASEAN has continued to deepen, promoting the accelerated growth of the scale of Southeast Asian fresh food specialty agricultural products exported to China; Fully implement zero tariffs on 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, and grant 100% tariff free treatment to products exported to China from multiple South Asian least developed countries; Building bridges and platforms through high-level trade exhibitions such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Fair, making supply and demand more efficient and economic and trade exchanges closer... The huge and continuously growing Chinese market opens up vast space for world goods.

China is not just 'buying the world', but also 'benefiting the world' through two-way empowerment. Taking durian as an example, Chinese enterprises actively participate in the construction of the industrial chain, introducing funds, modern agricultural technology, cold chain management experience, etc. into Southeast Asia, promoting the standardization and scale upgrading of the local durian industry, continuously improving the quality and efficiency of development, and better driving local employment and promoting income growth.

A durian measures the breadth and depth of its openness. As more and more durians enter China through open channels, the growing durian industry chain will closely connect China with more countries and promote the common prosperity and development of all parties. What the world tastes from it is not only the sweetness of fruits, but also a beautiful future of cooperation and mutual benefit. (Reporters Zou Yuqin and Zhu Lili)