In 2023, China spent more than 2 billion USD to buy nearly 524,000 tons of durian from Vietnam, an increase of more than 11 times compared to the previous year.

This is the latest data cited by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association from China Customs. Accordingly, last year, Vietnamese durian was purchased by China in the largest quantity ever, increasing the market share of Vietnamese durian in the Chinese market from 6% in 2022 to nearly 33% in 2023.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, 2023 is a year of great success for the durian industry with an export output of nearly 524,000 tons to China.

In the first months of this year, according to Mr. Nguyen, Vietnamese durians are being sold very well in China, especially during the Lunar New Year, with high demand from people in this country. Meanwhile, the supply of off-season goods is limited, so prices are forecast to continue to increase.

According to Mr. Nguyen, Vietnamese durian has advantages in price and shipping time, only taking about 2 days compared to 7 days from Thailand.

With fresh durian from the Philippines, the quality is good, so this year Vietnam continues to face many strong opponents. The Philippines is supplying durian to the market from February to April and from August to October every year. Although it is new to exporting to China, the quantity from this country is nearly 100,000 tons.

In the high-end segment, Malaysia has exported frozen durian segments to China since 2011. This year, if Vietnam is exported frozen, durian prices will be stable over the years.

In addition to these competitors, in the long term, the Chinese market will also have domestic durian. They are looking to grow more in Cambodia and Indonesia, but it will take 5-10 years.

Kylie Nguyen