Vietnamese durian is increasingly popular in China.

Photo caption — Durian is sold at Tan Phat Dia market.

From supermarkets, wholesale markets to milk tea shops, bakeries and high-end restaurants, durian appears more and more in all forms, from fresh fruit to frozen durian, canned durian.
According to records at wholesale markets and supermarkets in Beijing such as Xinfadi and Hema, durian sales in May increased by nearly 40% compared to the same period last year. Durian varieties are now displayed attractively, with instructions for cutting and eating right at the counter, convenient for urban consumers.

In an interview with a VNA reporter in China, Ms. Pho Mong, a Beijing resident, said: “I really like eating durian. After eating durian, it can bring me a feeling of happiness. But the price of durian this year is a bit expensive and the durian segments are a bit wet, not very dry. I hope the durian will become more and more delicious.” According to Ms. Pho Mong, most Chinese people like durian, no matter how expensive the durian price is, she still buys and eats it.

During this year’s harvest season, the durian market in China is mainly imported from Thailand and Malaysia. Vietnamese durian is not yet exported to China due to the seasonal difference compared to Thailand. However, Vietnamese durian has also made its mark in this billion-people market and is increasingly popular with many Chinese people.

Ms. Duong Dong Tinh, owner of the International Durian shop at Tan Phat Dia wholesale market, Beijing, shared with VNA reporters: "Currently, Vietnamese durian has a very large market in China and among Chinese people. Hopefully, Vietnamese durian will have better development in the Chinese market and more and more Vietnamese durian will be sold in China."

In 2024, Vietnam's durian output and export turnover are estimated to reach about 1.5 million tons, with a planting area of nearly 180,000 hectares, a 6-fold increase compared to 2015. Export turnover reached a record of more than 3.3 billion USD, up 43.2% compared to 2023 and accounting for nearly 50% of the country's total fruit and vegetable export turnover. China is also the main consumer market, accounting for nearly 91% of Vietnam's total durian export turnover, reaching more than 2.9 billion USD in 2024.