The China-Laos Railway, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, is playing a pivotal role in boosting durian imports from Thailand, driving down sales prices in China while giving exporters the chance to tap into the huge Chinese market.
The more than 1,000-km-long railway, which connects Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province with the Laos capital Vientiane, started operations back in December 2021. With Vientiane being located just across the Thai border, the railway has played a key economic role in enabling goods to be shipped directly along the route.
According to the latest data released by the China-Laos Railway authorities on Tuesday, a total of 113,000 tons of tropical fruits have been transported so far this year, with over 93 percent of these coming from Thailand, marking a 25 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The primary fruit being imported into China via the railway is durian, with insiders noting how the top-quality produce being available at cheaper prices benefits consumers.
"Taking Grade A durian as an example, the price peaked at 1,500 to 1,600 yuan (about 208 to 222 U.S. dollars) per box, but has now dropped to between 700 and 800 yuan — effectively halving," said Zhang Dehuan, the deputy manager of a logistics company in Yunnan.
Business is booming at a fruit wholesale market in Kunming City, the provincial capital of Yunnan, and as soon as vehicles loaded with durians arrive, dozens of wholesalers gather around and begin to choose the best goods.
According to one merchant, the lowest price per kilogram for the most sought-after Mon Thong durians from Thailand can be sold at 40 yuan per kilogram, with other varieties being even cheaper.
"The price is lower, the quantity goes up, and the quality is stable," said Wang Ya, a durian wholesaler at the market.
This surge in supply, coupled with reduced transportation costs due to improved efficiency, has played a pivotal role in driving down durian prices. Additionally, a significant increase in durian production is anticipated in Thailand's main producing regions, with a rise of over 30 percent expected this year.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has projected that Thailand's total durian output will reach approximately 1.68 million tons in 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of over 30 percent.
Currently, the biggest durian-producing areas in eastern Thailand are nearing the end of their harvest season. More than 27,000 batches of durian have been exported to China so far this year, totaling 455,600 tons and worth a total value of 54.8 billion baht (around 1.68 billion U.S. dollars).
A Thai durian exporter recently told the China Media Group (CMG) that the substantial influx of durians into the market, combined with increased production in neighboring Vietnam, has resulted in the lowest durian prices in many years.
In 2025, the wholesale price of the top graded durian has dipped below 100 baht (around 3 U.S. dollars) per kilogram for the first time, reaching as low as 95 baht per kilogram in mid-May.
"This year, Thailand's durian yield has been impressive, currently achieving 80 percent of the expected target. Additionally, other countries capable of producing durian have begun to introduce their products to the market, contributing to the relatively low prices this year," said a Thai durian exporter.
China-Laos railway helps deliver top-quality Thai durians at affordable prices
