The Pungent Politics of China's Durian Trade

In China, the king of fruits has become the king of imports. In this episode, we dive into the explosive rise of durian demand — a $6.7 billion craving that’s turned the spiky, polarizing fruit into a status symbol for the country’s growing middle class. But this isn’t just a food story; it’s geopolitics wrapped in a thick, fragrant shell. As China opens its market to suppliers from Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, “Durian Diplomacy” is reshaping regional ties, offering opportunity on one hand and political leverage on the other. We explore how Southeast Asian farmers are racing to meet demand, why suppliers remain cautious, and whether China can ever grow enough of the fruit to feed its obsession.https://www.economist.com/china/2024/06/13/china-is-going-crazy-for-durians