Hainan farmers grow durians domestically as China seeks to reduce Southeast Asia import dependence

China, the world's largest durian consumer, has been importing billions of dollars' worth annually from Southeast Asia. Farmers in Hainan province are now cultivating durians domestically to compete with foreign imports and capture a portion of China's massive domestic market. A journalist visited a local plantation to assess how Hainan-grown durians compare in quality to Southeast Asian varieties and whether the nascent domestic industry can establish a sustainable foothold.