China increases its purchase of Vietnamese durian by 1.5 times.

Vietnamese durian exports to the Chinese market increased by 1.5 times by the end of November 2024.

According to data from Chinese Customs, in the first 11 months of last year, durian imports from Vietnam reached nearly 721,000 tons, a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, durian exports from Thailand to China decreased by 13%, to over 796,000 tons.

With this growth momentum, Vietnam is gradually narrowing the gap with Thailand and has the potential to become the leading exporter of durian to the world's second-largest economy in 2025.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, Vietnam's geographical proximity to China helps reduce transportation costs and time. The extended harvesting season, which does not coincide with Thailand's, is an advantage, ensuring a continuous supply. He believes that, if not affected by climate change, Vietnam could even surpass Thailand in export volume.

Harvesting off-season durian in Cai Lay town, Tien Giang province. Photo: Hoang Nam

Despite a significant increase in production, the export price of Vietnamese durian only reached nearly $4,000 per ton, lower than Thailand's $5,000. This resulted in Vietnam's export revenue reaching nearly $2.9 billion, a 38% increase compared to the same period last year, but still lower than Thailand's ($3.9 billion, a 12.5% decrease).

Despite receiving favorable treatment from neighboring markets, Mr. Nguyen advised Vietnamese farmers and businesses to strictly adhere to the regulations in the Protocol with China. Consistent quality and building a strong brand are decisive factors in competing with goods from Thailand and other countries.

Besides Vietnam, China has also increased its purchases of this agricultural product from the Philippines. By the end of November 2024, import value from this country reached over $13 million, a 3.5-fold increase compared to the previous year.

Last year, Vietnam's total durian exports to various markets reached $3.3 billion, an increase of over $1 billion compared to 2023. China accounted for 90% of the market share.

Durian exports are projected to continue increasing this year, reaching $3.5 billion, contributing to the target of $8 billion in fruit and vegetable exports.

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