Durian exports decline
According to estimates from Customs Department (Ministry of Finance), Vietnam's durian export turnover in the first 4 months of 2025 reached about 120-130 million USD, with an estimated export volume of 35,000 tonnes.
In the first months of 2025, durian exports to China recorded a sharp decline, reaching only about 20% of set plan. Consequences not only affected the overall target of the entire industry, but also pulled down domestic durian prices, down more than 50% compared to the same period last year.
Recorded at gardeners on May 8, price of durian purchased by warehouses in the Mekong Delta and Southeast is commonly at 50,000 - 53,000 VND/kg (type A), 35,000 - 38,000 VND/kg (type B), types C and D from 25,000 - 28,000 VND/kg for Ri 6 variety. Monthong durian (Thai, Dona) is at 70,000 VND/kg (type A), 50,000 VND/kg (type B) and 35,000 - 37,000 VND/kg (type C). Price of durian purchased in bulk at the garden, depending on the quality, will be around 30,000 - 35,000 VND/kg (Ri 6) and 50,000 VND/kg (Monthong). Notably, image of durian being sold on the roadside with a sign saying '30,000 VND/kg' is spreading strongly on social networks, causing a stir because this is a record low price in the past 10 years. Many accounts are selling home-grown durian, promising to be 'ripe', 'no chemicals' with a common price of only 70,000-80,000 VND/kg. Some people even called for 'durian rescue' as a warning signal about the serious price drop.
Talking to a reporter from Cong Thuong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung - Chairman of Board of Directors of Vina T&T Company - said that the price of durian in the country has decreased sharply due to difficult consumption. Main reason is still difficulty in exporting to Chinese market, long customs clearance time, low market demand. However, with the garden price of 35,000 VND/kg, growers still make a profit but much less than before.
Chinese market still plays an important role
Durian is affirming its position as one of key export products, in which Chinese market still plays a key role in development strategy of this industry. Added value when exporting durian to the Chinese market is more than twice as high as domestic consumption, contributing positively to agricultural turnover.
In face of decline in durian exports to China in the first months of the year, on morning of May 8, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired a meeting to listen to a report on current status of management of growing area codes, traceability and solutions to increase durian export activities.
At the meeting, many opinions said that the reason for the sharp decrease in durian prices is the lack of a clear legal basis and quarantine process; State management of food quality and safety is still slow. Granting of growing area codes, approval of packaging facilities and testing laboratory systems have yet to meet strict requirements of Chinese customers - a large consumer market but also full of risks if not carefully prepared.
In order to overcome immediate difficulties, Minister Do Duc Duy said that the Ministry will closely coordinate with Chinese Customs Department to handle problems related to technical factors that are significantly hindering export flows. At the same time, progress of granting growing area codes, approving packaging facilities and laboratories serving exports will be accelerated.
In addition, plant quarantine process for durian will be urgently issued, as a basis for re-evaluating export potential in 2025 and adjusting the plan in accordance with reality.
In long term, Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized need to focus on perfecting legal system related to agricultural export management, including more detailed regulations on growing area codes, packaging facility conditions as well as quality testing and appraisal processes.
Along with that, it is necessary to build and standardize technical standards system from production, harvesting, processing to export. In addition, it is necessary to encourage development of deeply processed product lines, especially frozen durian to increase added value and reduce dependence on the fresh market.
To realize above solutions, some key tasks proposed by the Minister to be implemented immediately are: Developing and promulgating circulars guiding the process and procedures for granting growing area codes and packaging facilities; Establishing a quality control and food safety program for exported durian;...
"In the context of a volatile market, maintaining position of Vietnamese durian cannot rely solely on hot growth but requires a solid legal foundation, synchronous technical standards and a proactive and transparent management system.
Therefore, specialized agencies must make more efforts to accompany businesses, stand side by side with localities, coordinate with relevant agencies to protect the market, enhance value and gradually build the Vietnamese durian brand on the world agricultural map", said Minister Do Duc Duy.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn