Want to try China’s first domestically grown durian? Better head to Hainan, or wait a few years

China’s home-grown durian is finally expected to hit the market this month, but it could be years before the vast majority of consumers can get their hands on it, and estimates for projected yields have fallen sharply in recent months, according to an expert on tropical fruits.

In the tropical island province of Hainan, farmers are gearing up for the nation’s first large-scale domestic durian harvest after more than four years of cultivation. They are keen to cash in on the growing domestic demand for what has quickly become China’s most popular imported fruit – one that is native to Southeast Asia and known for its uniquely potent smell.