Sea Shipments Have Brought Fresh Durian to China
New refrigeration technology allows premium fruit to travel by sea rather than air while maintaining freshness.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Organic Food
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A two-tonne shipment of Malaysian durian successfully arrived in Dalian on September 19, 2026, after a 12-day sea voyage. This marks a shift for a fruit that typically relies on expensive air freight to avoid rapid spoilage.
Why it matters
Durian's high respiration rate and tendency to spoil quickly once ripe make it logistically difficult to ship, often limiting market access and keeping costs high. Addressing these transit hurdles could help stabilize the supply chain for a market that imported $7.5 billion worth of fruit in 2025.
In this industrial test, a two-tonne shipment of tree-drop durian was transported by sea over 12 days using specialized controlled-atmosphere technology. While the shipment matched the quality of air-freighted fruit, the scalability of this method remains under evaluation.
The players
Daikin Reefer
An Osaka-based company specializing in advanced refrigeration and temperature-control systems for global shipping.
The details
The technology, known as Daikin Active CA, functions by precisely regulating the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the shipping container to slow the fruit's metabolism. By reducing fruit respiration by more than 50%, the system prevents the rapid decay that usually occurs in tree-drop durian, which typically experiences husk dehiscence within days of harvest.
Timeline
In 2025, China imported 1.87 million metric tons of durian.
The shipment reached Dalian on September 19, 2026.
The successful arrival was announced on September 24, 2026.
Health Landscape
The global durian trade is currently dominated by air-shipped product to satisfy Chinese demand, which accounts for over 90% of worldwide consumption. Applying controlled-atmosphere logistics to high-respiration fruits represents a significant evolution in preserving nutritional quality during transit.
If you prioritize sourcing organic or tree-ripened produce, be aware that improved transit methods help retain fruit quality during long-distance shipping. Discuss any concerns about fruit sourcing or handling processes with your local produce provider.
The takeaway
Maintaining fruit quality during transit relies on managing respiration rates to delay natural ripening and spoilage. When buying premium imports, check for information regarding harvest and storage practices to ensure the best possible nutritional value.
Further reading
For more information on food transportation standards, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by All About Shipping.
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