Yaida orchard in east Thailand’s Rayong province (Photos: Sun Guangyong/People’s Daily)

Bangkok (People's Daily) - Durians are grown in select regions throughout the Southeast Asian nations. In Thailand, the bulk of the tree fruit comes from the Eastern provinces of Chantaburi, Rayong, and Trat, and smaller quantities also grow in south and northeast regions. Durian season begins in April, and the fruit typically remains on the market through June. 

“We have over 200 durian trees, with each producing 50 to 100 durians. Each durian sells for 300 Thai baht (60 yuan / $9.40), the price is great,” according to Ratpong, a durian grower.

After undergoing sterilization and other processes, anywhere from five to six durians weighing 4 kilos are shipped to foreign destinations. One factory can process 30,000 durians daily. 

Every year roughly 60 percent of Thailand’s durians are sent to foreign countries, as they are especially popular in China and Vietnam. In fact, China has become Thailand's fastest growing destination for the tree fruit import, and most of the durians found within the Chinese marketplace come from the Southeast Asian country. 

Recently, Cainiao, a Chinese logistics company teamed up with Tmall, Yiguo, and ExFresh to create a fresh food pipeline of sorts connecting China and Thailand. Within less than five days after a durian is picked, gold pillow-like fruit is sent to warehouses in almost 20 cities throughout China. 

Customers in more than 1,400 districts and counties can now receive fresh durians within the second day of placing online orders. 

In February 2018, Thai government officials approved a fruit development strategy aimed at making the country a powerhouse tropical fruit trader on the global market.  

In Rayong Province, the Yaida durian orchard has been growing the fruit for decades and has over 200 trees. The Thai government awarded the fruit producer a Gold Award, and it is listed as one of the country’s 50 must-see destinations. 

When People’s Daily visited the durian paradise, many local and foreign visitors could be seen enjoying the refreshing tree fruit.  

Pong Anan, head of Rayong’s tourism and sports administration, told People’s Daily that plans are underway to promote their tourism and sports industries by using the popular fruit.

“Chinese tourists make up the largest demographic of durian consumers in Thailand, and we welcome Chinese visitors to East Thailand where they can enjoy our sports activities and fruit.”

An orchard worker cuts a newly-picked durian for visitors.

Thai tourists taste newly-picked durians in Yaida orchard.

Tourists take photos with the quality durians in Yaida orchard.

(Compiled by Liu Xiaochi)