India greenlights durian imports from Vietnam

India has granted Vietnam the status of an eligible country for durian imports, according to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection. No special import conditions or additional phytosanitary declaration requirements have been imposed by Indian authorities. The approval followed negotiations between the two nations.

However, India remains a relatively new market for Vietnamese durian, and in the initial phase, it is expected that the fruit will be primarily sold in major cities through premium retail chains, restaurants, hotels, and e-commerce platforms.

The department advised exporters to thoroughly study consumer preferences in India, product specifications, transportation logistics, and distribution networks to devise suitable market entry strategies. Earlier this year, durian exports to China, Vietnam's largest market, experienced a significant decline after Chinese authorities tightened quality control measures, traceability requirements, and stepped up inspections for chemical residues.

Many shipments faced delays due to lengthy customs processes, leading to a sharp fall in prices at the farm gate. Supply of the fruit increased sharply during the peak harvest period, with output in the first half of the year rising by 12.7%, the highest among major fruits, to 603,300 metric tons.

Vietnam's durian exports are projected to surpass $2 billion by the end of July, despite under-pressure prices in China, its primary market, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.