Growth attributed to improved quality and competitive pricing
The value of Vietnam’s durian exports hit a record US$3.33bn in the first ten months of this year, marking a 10.4 per cent increase on the same period of 2024, according to a report from local news agency VietnamPlus citing customs data.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, told the news website that exports should reach US$4bn by the end of the year.
China remains Vietnam’s strongest market, accounting for 94.35 per cent or US$3.14bn of the total value this year – an increase of almost 14 per cent year-on-year. This strong growth comes despite facing “technical barriers” from China after the country amped up certification requirements in January, following the discovery cadmium and auramine O content in imported Thai durians late last year.
According to Nguyen, the growth is thanks to improved quality and competitive pricing.
On average, Vietnamese durian exports reach US$3,696 per tonne which is 15 per cent lower than Thai durian, According to VietnamPlus. This price advantage, alongside shorter shipping times, has helped Vietnam become the second-largest durian exporter to China, after Thailand.
Vietnam has also seen improved quality this year after the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment introduced national standards for durian exports. Many growers and exporters also upgraded growing areas, invested in cold storage and packaging lines, and developed their own brands, according to VietnamPlus.
Vietnam has also seen growth in other markets, including Hong Kong which saw an increase of nearly 89 per cent, reaching a value of over US$45mn. Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Japan and Canada also experienced significant growth, though on a smaller scale.
