Accelerating the opening of the frozen durian and fresh coconut market to China

The Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has just sent a document to the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of provinces and cities; local professional agencies to review and summarize the growing areas and packaging facilities of fresh coconut and frozen durian exported to China.

Accordingly, to accelerate the process of opening the market for fresh coconuts and frozen durians exported from Vietnam to China; and at the same time, prepare for the registration of growing area codes and packaging facilities after the Protocol is signed, the Plant Protection Department requests specialized agencies of provinces and cities to notify and guide organizations and individuals who need to register growing areas and packaging facilities for the above two products for export to the Chinese market.

Durian exports have grown continuously in recent times. Illustrative photo

In addition, the units reviewed, inspected, evaluated the field, and compiled a list of growing areas and fresh coconut packaging facilities (green-skinned fruit, peeled coconut) and frozen durian packaging facilities (shelled durian, pureed durian, and durian pulp without shell) to meet the requirements of plant quarantine and food safety of the importing country.

Units must send the results of the list to the Plant Protection Department no later than April 1, 2024 for synthesis.

Durian has been officially exported to the Chinese market since July 2022 and has been increasing steadily in recent times. In 2023, durian export turnover increased to a record high of 2.3 billion USD. However, most of this is only fresh fruit exports.

Assessing the prospects of durian exports to China, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that durian exports are forecast to continue to grow strongly in 2024. Data from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association shows that in the first two months of the year, durian exports to China reached 172.2 million USD, an increase of 99% over the same period in 2023. Of which, fresh durian exports reached 158.4 million USD, and frozen durian exports reached 13 million USD.

"If Vietnam's frozen durian is licensed, durian export turnover will increase by 30% of the total export value of this item each year," Mr. Nguyen predicted.

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