According to Thai media reports, the demand for Thai durians in the Chinese market is still strong. The previous rumors that the epidemic caused a drop in orders are not true.

Thanes Sangthaworn, general manager of Morakot Central Fruit Market in Chumphon Province, Thailand, said that durian prices and orders have not dropped. Chinese importers ordered more fruits to replenish their stocks before the Lunar New Year, and fruit consumption is expected to soar during the Spring Festival.

Thanes said that due to strong demand, the price of durian in Thailand has risen across the board compared with the previous week. Grade AB and ABC golden pillow durians are now selling for 160 baht/kg (32 yuan/kg) and 140 baht/kg (28 yuan/kg), respectively, up from 140 baht/kg and 120 baht/kg last week. Grade C golden pillow durians are now priced at 110 baht/kg (22 yuan/kg), which is also a sharp increase from last week's 100 baht/kg.

Thailand's Ministry of Commerce estimates that the total durian production in southern Thailand will reach 600,000 tons this year, 80% of which have been exported. December means the end of the durian harvest season in southern Thailand, and durian farms in eastern Thailand will start a new harvest until late February of the following year.