Qinzhou, China, Jan. 8 — Indonesia’s “king of fruits” just gained a major new pathway to Chinese consumers. A container carrying 23 tonnes of frozen durian pulp and puree arrived at Qinzhou Port Tuesday, marking the first shipment of Indonesian frozen durian to China via maritime transport—a significant step up from previous air-freighted trial runs.
Durian Diplomacy: Indonesia’s Frozen Fruit Makes Waves in China
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A new shipping route and updated trade protocols are poised to dramatically increase the flow of Indonesia’s popular durian to the world’s largest consumer market.
- The shipment departed the Port of Jakarta on Dec. 26, 2025, and arrived at a bonded warehouse in Qinzhou on Monday.
- Guangxi Jiarong Food Technology Co., Ltd. imported the durian and plans to process it into pulp and freeze-dried products.
- Eight Indonesian companies are now approved to export frozen durian to China, with talks ongoing for fresh durian access.
- The opening of the Pinglu Canal in 2026 is expected to further reduce logistics costs.
What does this mean for durian lovers? Expect more consistent supply and potentially lower prices for this increasingly popular fruit in China. Indonesia’s diverse durian varieties, already beloved in desserts, cakes, and ice cream, will become more readily available.
From Air Freight to Sea Lanes
Previously, Indonesian frozen durian entered China only in small quantities, primarily by air, for testing consumer demand. The establishment of this dedicated maritime route, bolstered by robust cold-chain logistics, promises a more stable and substantial supply, injecting fresh momentum into Indonesia-China economic ties.
Wu Junyi, general manager of Guangxi Jiarong Food Technology Co., Ltd., explained the company’s plans for the imported fruit. “The frozen durian will be processed into a range of value-added products, including frozen durian pulp and freeze-dried durian,” he said.
Investing in Durian Tech
To handle the increased volume, the company has invested 30 million yuan (approximately 4.27 million U.S. dollars) in a state-of-the-art durian processing facility. This “intelligent factory” integrates technologies like AI-based hyperspectral sorting, liquid nitrogen quick freezing, and freeze-drying to standardize production and overcome historical challenges with manual sorting and inconsistent quality.
Wu added that the company intends to use this durian import as a model for establishing standardized pathways for importing and processing other specialty agricultural products from ASEAN countries.
A Growing Trade Relationship
Budi Hansyah, trade attache of the Indonesian Embassy in China, emphasized the significance of this development. “The entry of Indonesian frozen durian into the Chinese market demonstrates the close and solid trade relations between the two countries,” he stated.
Currently, eight Indonesian companies have received approval from Chinese customs to export frozen durian, and negotiations are underway to gain market access for fresh durian. Indonesia’s diverse durian varieties cater to a wide range of consumer preferences.
Qinzhou Port: A Key Trade Hub
Chen Jing’en, vice mayor of Qinzhou, highlighted the strategic importance of Qinzhou Port. As a key hub of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, the port operates 44 shipping routes connecting ASEAN countries. Its sea-rail intermodal services create an efficient logistics network, enabling Indonesian agricultural products to reach inland Chinese markets or connect with China-Europe freight trains.
Looking ahead, the planned opening of the Pinglu Canal in 2026 is projected to reduce logistics costs by around 30 percent, further facilitating trade between ASEAN and China.
From January to November 2025, Guangxi ports imported over 2.65 million tonnes of fruit from ASEAN, a 15.8 percent increase year-over-year, with a total value exceeding 40.6 billion yuan—a 22 percent jump. China’s appetite for durian, the “king of fruits,” continues to drive agricultural cooperation with ASEAN nations, and the inclusion of Indonesian frozen durian expands those opportunities.
