Pictures courtesy of The Nation

 

The polarising durian, known for its unique aroma and flavour, is gaining unprecedented popularity among Chinese consumers. Thailand, the leading durian exporter, is modernising production to meet this soaring demand, with Chinese experts collaborating to enhance orchards using advanced technology.

 

“Thailand’s conditions are ideal for tropical fruits, and its durians are unparalleled,” said Zhou Zhaoxi from the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences. Despite efforts to cultivate durians in China’s Hainan province, domestic production struggles to satisfy the market.

 

In 2023, China imported around 1.56 million metric tonnes of durian, valued at nearly US$7 billion (227.2 billion baht), with almost 60% originating from Thailand, according to China Customs.

 

To support Thai farmers, the Thai Digital Economy Promotion Agency initiated the Digital Durian Initiative. This programme uses smart tools to monitor crop data, aiming to mitigate losses from adverse weather and diseases.

 

In Chanthaburi, a key durian region, farmer Chord Chanbuppha noted a shift from longan and mangosteen to durian cultivation due to its lucrative potential. However, with trees taking up to eight years to mature, the transition is risky.

 

Chinese firm Beyondsoft has transformed Chord’s farm with innovations like integrated water systems and soil sensors, enabling real-time analytics. “Data goes to an online system for scientific farming,” explained regional director Chang Canxian.

 

CP Group, a major Thai agri-business, is also advancing technology. Partnering with Huawei Cloud, they installed near-infrared sensors with AI to check durian ripeness, improving accuracy beyond traditional methods.

 

“We’ve reached 80% accuracy, and it will increase as data grows,” said Jiang Yuejun, CP Group’s technology officer.

 

As durian gains traction in supermarkets across the US, UK, and Australia, Thai exporters strive to keep their “smelly gold” at the forefront of global markets.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-01

 

 

Finally a solution to this year's annual glut !

Thailand has already won that title.