Vietnam aims for $3.5 billion in durian exports in 2024

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), in June 2024, fruit and vegetable exports reached about $800 million, up 20.84 per cent on-year, contributing to bringing the total first-half exports to $3.5 billion, a 30.6 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, durian accounted for $1.5 billion of this figure.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vinafruit, stated that this year, Vietnam aims to achieve $3.5 billion in export turnover from durian, an on-year increase of 55 per cent.

China is the largest market for Vietnamese durian. In the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam surpassed Thailand to become the number one durian exporter to China, with a volume of 32,750 tonnes valued at $161 million, a 2.4-fold increase in volume compared to the same period last year. Vietnam's durian market share in China by value increased from 32 per cent in Q1/ 2023 to 57 per cent in Q1/2024.

Vietnamese and Chinese authorities have completed technical negotiations to sign a protocol for exporting frozen durian to China. If China agrees to officially import frozen durian, the export value of durian will increase significantly.

According to Vinafruit, Vietnamese durian has advantages with abundant production, year-round harvesting, and at many times, it does not directly compete with Thai durian. Transportation times are fast, and prices are reasonable, especially for frozen durian.

Fresh durian from Vietnam is currently exported to 22 countries and territories, while frozen durian is exported to 23 countries and territories.

Vietnam is also negotiating exports of fresh durian to India, helping to reduce its dependence on China and open up new development opportunities for the agricultural sector.

According to tuoitre.vn, Le Van Thiet, deputy director of the Plant Protection Department (PPD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, shared his expectations about expanding durian consumption in India, a country with a population of over a billion people.

"Currently, China is the largest market for Vietnamese durian. However, relying too much on a single market always poses risks. Therefore, opening the Indian market is good news for Vietnam's durian industry," Thiet said.

He added that Vietnam has submitted documents and is waiting for India to consider signing a protocol to begin exporting durian to the country.

"India does not have strict regulations like China, and shipping costs by sea are also cheaper, making it a potential market," Thiet added.

However, Vinafruit noted that recent shipments have been flagged for banned substance contamination, affecting the reputation of Vietnamese goods. Therefore, businesses need to increase inspections at source and in packing facilities to stop contaminated shipments.

The PPD said that local authorities and businesses should closely monitor growing area codes and packing facilities to avoid purchasing goods from unauthorised sources, which could exports of legitimate businesses.

Ngo Tuong Vy, general director of Chanh Thu Fruit Import Export JSC, said that while market expansion is very important, the decisive factor is still the quality of Vietnamese durian. If good quality is maintained, Vietnamese durian will attract many potential markets in the future.

Additionally, Vy proposed a mechanism to separate durian into an independent industry with its own management mechanism.

Fruit and vegetable exports hit record high in first half of 2024 Fruit and vegetable exports continue to be a bright spot in the overall economic picture for the first half of 2024, with revenues approaching $3.5 billion.

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