28-07-2025
China's imports of fruits to grow with big appetite for durians, coconuts
Growers of durian and coconut in Southeast Asia are expecting a hectic time ahead as they grapple with rising demand from mainland Chinese buyers who prefer high-quality fresh fruits against the backdrop of a weak consumption market.
Malaysian fresh durians, which have witnessed an export boom since last year, are still in high demand ahead of the peak season in August, according to Guo Min, deputy marketing director with distributor Joy Wing Mau's China operations.
"The growth trajectory remains robust and we foresee surging demand [for the fruit] next month," he said in an interview, adding that Malaysian durians were the most sought-after by consumers among imported fruits. "We have got the logistics and warehousing arrangements ready to better serve the market."
Malaysia started exporting fresh durians to China last year, shipping 24.8 million ringgit (190 million baht) worth of them between August and December, according to data from Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. In the first four months this year, Malaysia's share of the durian market in China had grown tenfold, Guo added.
Thailand held a 57% share of China's US$6.99 billion (226 billion baht) durian market in 2024, Chinese customs data showed.
Guo spoke on the sidelines of a "matchmaking meeting" between international suppliers and Chinese traders in Shanghai on Friday, organised by the China International Import Expo (CIIE) Bureau, a unit of the Ministry of Commerce, ahead of the annual trade show later this year.
Chinese consumers' rising awareness of health and food security remained the key growth drivers for imported fruits, according to Allen Zeng, deputy director of brand with Goodfarmer Fresh Fruit Trading, which deals with fruit exports from the Philippines and Vietnam to China.
"They underscore the importance of freshness and they believe in big brands that can guarantee quality and security of the products," he said at the CIIE-arranged event. "Exports of fruits including durians and pineapples turned out to be resilient even though local consumers are cautious on spending."
Many traders at the CIIE event said they would also introduce higher-quality coconuts and cherries to the Chinese market at the CIIE, the world's largest trade show featuring imports, which will be held from Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai.
The Chinese economy has been under deflationary pressure over the past two years due to sluggish domestic demand and excess production capacity. Inflation quickened at an annualised pace of 0.1% in June, ending five months of weaker prices, government reports showed.
The CIIE, an annual event launched in 2018, is considered by many foreign businesses a prime marketing opportunity. Beijing encourages local firms to buy foreign-made goods as a way of showing China's commitment to free trade and expanding access to its market.
In 2024, companies racked up US$80 billion worth of deals during the six-day show, a 2% increase from a year earlier. Deals involving food and agricultural products provided a bright spot, reflecting growing awareness of food security and nutrition in China, analysts said.
To date, the CIIE Bureau said exhibitors had booked 300,000 square metres of space to display their products and technologies at the six-day event. Last year, more than 3,500 international companies took part in the show.
