Vietnam durian exports to China soar

Vietnam's durian exports to China have surged, now making up more than half of the country's fruit and vegetable shipments to the Asian nation, according to the General Department of Customs. Coconut exports nearly doubled during the same period, while those of dragon fruit, banana, and mango experienced declines. Industry experts predict that this trend could continue into the second half of the year.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, secretary general of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, noted that the Central Highlands region, Vietnam's largest durian producer, has only recently entered its peak harvest season. If current growth rates persist, durian exports to China could surpass the 20% increase seen in the previous year by 2026.

The surge in durian exports isn't limited to China alone. In July, India permitted the import of fresh Vietnamese durian, opening up a new market with a population of over 1.4 billion. However, Nguyen cautioned that India's vast population does not automatically translate to immediate demand for durian. The fruit remains relatively unfamiliar to Indian consumers, and changes in eating habits as well as the establishment of distribution systems would require time to take effect.

Initially, durian may find its way into major cities, imported-fruit stores, premium retail chains, hotels, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms. Frozen, dried, or processed durian products could also provide exporters with an opportunity to test the market while easing the pressure to sell fresh fruit during the peak harvest season.

In the first half of the year, Vietnam exported $2.04 billion worth of fruits and vegetables to China, marking a nearly 25% increase compared to the previous half-year.