Mr. Hoang, a durian trader in southeastern Vietnam, reports that since June, the amount of durian purchased by businesses for export has doubled or tripled.

Along with the increased volume, durian prices have also risen by 3,000-5,000 VND per kg. Specifically, Monthong A (2.7 compartments) currently fetches 73,000-78,000 VND per kg, while Ri6 type A is at 43,000-44,000 VND. Type B (2.5 compartments) has also increased correspondingly, fluctuating between 26,000 and 58,000 VND per kg.

This positive market signal is reflected in export figures. According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, fruit and vegetable export turnover in June reached 807 million USD, a more than 30% increase compared to the previous month and a 20.2% increase year-on-year. This is the first month of the year that fruit and vegetable exports have rebounded after five consecutive months of decline. Durian alone contributed approximately 360 million USD in June, a more than 70% increase compared to May.

Durian harvest in Cai Lay town, Tien Giang province. Photo: Hoang Nam

Durian harvest in Cai Lay town, Tien Giang province. Photo: Hoang Nam

Nguyen Dinh Tung, Chairman of Vina T&T Group, stated that his company consistently exports about 20 containers of frozen durian to China each month. Focusing on frozen exports helps mitigate risks associated with unpredictable weather and allows for better quality control. "If businesses invest systematically in the freezing process, Vietnamese durian will have a much easier time entering the Chinese market," he said.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), assessed that May marked the official return of durian to the "race." The product has now experienced strong growth in several markets, notably mainland China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Hong Kong. "June's figures indicate that durian exports have returned to the stable state seen in 2024," he observed.

Mr. Nguyen predicts that if this growth continues, durian exports could reach 500-550 million USD per month during the upcoming peak season (September-October). However, it's unlikely prices will return to their peak levels of 2023-2024 due to the increasingly abundant global supply. In addition to Thailand and Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos are now participating in the official durian export market to China.

Despite this, Vietnamese businesses now have better control over technical indicators such as yellow O and cadmium content, factors that previously led to shipments being returned. Many companies now require gardens and intermediary wholesalers to conduct quality tests before accepting goods, thus increasing the customs clearance rate.

This period also coincides with the durian harvest season in southeastern Vietnam and the Central Highlands, two regions known for their effective control of pesticide residues. This facilitates smoother export to China.

VINAFRUIT expects fruit and vegetable exports to remain positive in the final months of the year, particularly for frozen durian and coconut. They anticipate total export turnover for the year could reach 6.5-7 billion USD, approaching the previous year's level.

Thi Ha