NANNING: In the early hours of the morning, the vibrant Haijixing Market, hailed as the largest wholesale fruit market in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, thrived with an animated atmosphere as people flocked in droves.
Cold-chain container trucks loaded with fresh durians made regular stops at the bustling durian stalls, with eager buyers arriving early to secure the finest fruits available.
Thai durians, typically imported in large quantities, flood the Chinese market from April onwards, ushering in a peak season that spans from May to August.
In Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Group organized a series of exhibitions that captivated visitors with a range of alluring events. One of the highlights was the unveiling and on-site sale of fresh Thai golden pillow durians known for their exquisite sweetness and soft texture, which attracted numerous buyers.
“During the event, we sold an average of over 100 durians daily. The company plans to host a ‘Durian Festival’ and other activities to promote sales further,” said Liang Shuting, who works with the company.
She added that the company has meticulously optimized its durian supply chain management and stringent product standards have been implemented to ensure the taste of durians.
Since 2019, durian has become the most imported fruit in the country. In 2022, China imported 825,000 tonnes of durian, of which 780,000 tonnes came from Thailand, according to customs data.
Guan Caixia, who has been running a Thai durian business for two decades, has witnessed the durian trade growth in China. –Agencies
