AsemconnectVietnam - The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT) said Vietnam harvests durian all year round, a competitive edge for the country’s businesses. After southeastern provinces, localities in the Central Highlands will enter the main harvest season in August.

This year, durian prices are likely to surge twice or thrice compared to current prices as traders may rush to purchase the fruit for export, the association predicted.
Durian exports rise by 45% in first half
Vietnam exported US$1.32 billion worth of durian in the first six months of 2024, up 45% year-on-year, according to customs data.
It accounted for 65% of all fruit exports during the period and is growing increasingly popular in many key markets.
China was the largest importer, accounting for over 92% of Vietnam's durian exports.
Its imports increased by 46% from the same period last year.
Thailand was the second largest market for Vietnamese durian, with shipments increasing by 90.5% to $47 million.
Exports to Japan doubled from a year ago to $2.6 million. Cambodia bought $1.6 million worth of the fruit from Vietnam, a 23-fold increase.
Durian exports forecast to top 3 billion USD in 2024
Durian exports may surpass 3 billion USD this year, according to Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association (Vinafruit).
Speaking at a workshop on the promotion of the export of this fruit held in Hanoi on July 23, Nguyen said that Vietnam earned more than 1.3 billion USD from shipping durian abroad in the first six months of 2024, up 40% year-on-year.
Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Quang Hieu stated that the General Administration of Customs of China has to date licensed over 700 growing area codes and nearly 200 packaging codes for Vietnamese businesses to export the fruit to this market.
It added that Vietnam harvests durian all year round, which is a competitive edge for the country’s businesses. After southeastern provinces, localities in the Central Highlands region will enter the main harvest season in August.
This year, durian prices are likely to surge twice or thrice compared to current prices as traders may rush to purchase the fruit for export, the association predicted.
China spends about 1 billion USD on importing frozen durian every year
Insiders believe in a bright prospect for durian export to China though the world’s largest durian consumer is expanding the cultivation of this fruit.
China imports more than 1.4 million tonnes of durian each year. To meet the big demand, the country started piloting durian cultivation since the 1950s, but it was not until 2019 that large-scale farming was implemented in its island province of Hainan, the Thanh nien (Young people) newspaper reported.
Dak Lak: Establish a team to inspect growing areas and packaging facilities for durian products
Accordingly, in the third and fourth quarters, the inspection team of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will conduct surprise inspections at workplaces and physically inspect growing areas and closed facilities. Packages of fresh durian fruits for export have been granted and approved codes; Durian product production and trading establishments are under the state management of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The objects of inspection are organizations and individuals who own the codes of growing areas; Facilities, organizations, and individuals packaging fresh durian fruit for export approved and granted codes by the General Department of Customs of China; Grassroots organizations and individuals producing and trading durian products are managed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The delegation will check the maintenance of conditions to meet the needs of China's importing countries; Check the output of fresh durian fruit in the 2024 crop year; authorization of codes for export packaging facilities; Take samples to check pesticide residues on fresh durian fruit (if any).
Vietnamese durian suddenly attracts Cambodian customers
Vietnamese durian exports have experienced remarkable growth, with a 223-fold increase in imports to Cambodia in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), durian exports reached $1.32 billion, marking a 44.5% rise from the previous year. China remains the largest market, followed by Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Notably, Thailand increased its imports of Vietnamese durian by 90.5%. Cambodia's imports surged to nearly $1.7 million, ranking it 9th among importers. Japan's imports grew by 106%, while the US saw a 43% decline. VINAFRUIT sees potential for further growth, especially with upcoming agreements on frozen durian exports to China.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic