Vietnamese durian gains market share in China.

While the export of durian from Thailand has slowed down, durian has recorded a spectacular breakthrough in terms of export value and market share in the Chinese market.

Durian exports increase.

According to statistics from the Chinese Customs Administration, cited by the Import-Export Department ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), in 2024, China imported 1.56 million tons of durian, worth nearly 7 billion USD, an increase of 9.4% in volume and 4.0% in value compared to 2023.

In 2024, durian exports to the Chinese market reached over $2.9 billion (Illustrative image).

In 2024, the average import price of durian into China reached US$4,957 per ton, a decrease of 4.9% compared to 2023. Specifically, the average import price of durian from Vietnam and the Philippines decreased, but the average import price from Thailand increased.

Regarding the supply structure, in 2024, China imported 809.88 thousand tons of durian from Thailand, worth over 4 billion USD, a decrease of 12.8% in volume and 12.1% in value compared to 2023.

Conversely, China increased its durian imports from Vietnam in 2024, rising by 49.4% in volume and 37.5% in value compared to 2023, reaching 736.72 thousand tons, worth $2.94 billion.

According to preliminary statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, durian contributed significantly to the overall growth rate of Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry in 2024, accounting for 44.94% of the total value, reaching US$3.21 billion, an increase of 43.2% compared to 2023.

Fruit and vegetable exports have increased significantly.

In addition, the export value of many other types of fruits and vegetables increased in 2024 compared to 2023, including: coconuts (up 61.1%); bananas (up 20%); mangoes (up 46.8%); jackfruit (up 22.2%); pistachios (up 76.9%); almonds (up 64.7%); chili peppers (up 15.1%)... Conversely, the export value of dragon fruit and passion fruit decreased by 15.1% and 22.9% respectively.

According to the latest figures from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), in January 2025, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports reached US$416 million, a decrease of 11.3% compared to the previous month (US$529 million in December 2024) and a decrease of 5.2% compared to the same period in 2024 (US$490 million in January 2024).

The decline in fruit and vegetable exports is due to many countries tightening quality control checks on imported fruits from Vietnam. Notably, after discovering that Thai durian contained Yellow O, a carcinogenic substance, China immediately tightened its regulations, negatively impacting Vietnamese durian and forcing some businesses to halt exports.

However, Vietnamese authorities have also quickly worked with Chinese officials to resume durian exports. Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced a list of 9 testing laboratories recognized by both Vietnam and China as meeting the standards for certification. This provides a basis for Vietnamese durian to continue penetrating the Chinese market.

Mr. Hoang Khanh Duy, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Dong Dang - Lang Son Border Economic Zone, said that the export of agricultural products, including durian, to China is proceeding smoothly. Accordingly, from February 1st to 3rd, a total of 26 trucks carrying durian cleared customs through the province's two main border gates: 14 trucks through Huu Nghi border gate and 12 trucks through Tan Thanh border gate, with a volume of hundreds of tons. These were all pre-registered shipments.

In 2024, China continued to be the world's largest durian consumer market (approximately 91%). Particularly, with its "durian combined with everything" formula, this delicious and creamy dessert is growing rapidly, projected to soon reach $10 billion.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/sau-rieng-viet-nam-but-pha-ve-thi-phan-tai-trung-quoc-372319.html