China can't get enough of this smelly fruit as farmers fight extreme weather to feed the craving
- Malaysian durian orchard owner Stephen Chow's workers collect durians at night to meet the demand from Chinese consumers.
- Climate change is increasing production costs for durian growers in Malaysia, impacting their profitability.
- Malaysia's durian production has grown significantly, covering 92,100 hectares in 2024, up nearly 40% from 2016.
- China imported 1.87 million tonnes of fresh durians worth $7.5 billion in 2025, accounting for about 95% of global durian exports from 2020 to 2022.
- Malaysian growers emphasize quality by harvesting only naturally ripened durians, unlike some competitors.
Malaysian durian orchard owner Stephen Chow’s workers spend hours in the fields in the dead of night, donning headlamps to collect freshly ripened fruit coveted by Chinese consumers. However, Chow faces challenges as climate change increases production costs and impacts yield.
Extreme weather has affected Chow’s orchard in Karak, Malaysia, with heavy rainfall in 2021 damaging trees and machinery, and persistent rain during flowering seasons leading to pollination failures. Additionally, rising fuel and fertilizer prices have added to the financial strain on growers like Chow.
Malaysia's durian production has expanded significantly, with the crop covering 92,100 hectares in 2024, nearly 40% more than in 2016. China has become a major market for Malaysian durians, importing 1.87 million tonnes in 2025, which has driven growth in the industry despite challenges from competitors like Thailand and Vietnam.
中国对这种臭水果的需求旺盛，农民在极端天气中努力满足市场
马来西亚榴莲园主Stephen Chow的工人在夜间花费数小时在田间采摘新鲜的榴莲，以满足中国消费者的需求。然而，Chow面临着气候变化带来的生产成本增加和产量影响的挑战。
极端天气影响了Chow位于马来西亚Karak的果园，2021年的强降雨损坏了树木和机械，而花期持续的降雨导致授粉失败。此外，燃料和化肥价格的上涨也给像Chow这样的种植者带来了经济压力。
马来西亚的榴莲生产显著扩大，2024年种植面积达到92,100公顷，比2016年增加近40%。中国已成为马来西亚榴莲的重要市场，2025年进口了187万吨，尽管面临来自泰国和越南等竞争对手的挑战，但推动了该行业的增长。