Sri Lanka is set to grow 20,000 durian plants of two hybrid varieties aimed at boosting export opportunities, announced Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. The two selected varieties, Ambathanna and Kasun, are known for their high yield and rapid growth.
“These hybrid durians are productive and well-suited for cultivation in average land conditions,” Amaraweera stated on Meta (Facebook). “They do not grow as large as other durian trees, reaching heights of 8 to 12 feet, which makes them ideal for various land types.”
Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board notes that the country’s fruits, including durians, are primarily exported to the UAE, India, and the Maldives. Currently, durians are being exported to the Middle East.
Historically introduced by the Portuguese and later expanded with new varieties, durians are now commercially grown on a small scale in various regions across Sri Lanka, despite their distinctive odor.