China buys nearly 524,000 tons of durian from Vietnam

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. According to that, last year, Vietnam's durian was purchased by China in the largest quantity ever. Increasing Vietnam's durian market share in the Chinese market from 6% in 2022 to nearly 33% in 2023.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that 2023 is a big year for the durian industry. With nearly 524,000 tons of exports to China, Vietnam is causing the durian market share of Thailand and Malaysia to shrink.

In the first months of this year, Mr. Nguyen said that Vietnamese durian was "all alone" in China, especially during the Lunar New Year when people's demand for gifts was high. Meanwhile, the supply of off-season goods was limited, so prices were expected to continue to increase.

Durian at a farm in Long Khanh (Dong Nai). Photo: Phuoc Tuan — Durian at a farm in Long Khanh (Dong Nai). Photo: *Phuoc Tuan*

According to Mr. Nguyen, Vietnamese durian has advantages in price and transportation time, taking only about 2 days compared to 7 days from Thailand, but other suppliers also have their own strengths. Thailand holds the advantage in output, being the main supplier of imported durian to China with 68% market share. This country is also switching to transport by Laos - China high-speed train to shorten transportation time.

With fresh durian from the Philippines, the quality is quite superior, so this year Vietnam continues to face many strong competitors. The Philippines is supplying durian to the market from February to April and from August to October every year. Although it has just joined the export to China, the quantity from this country has also reached nearly 100,000 tons.

In the high-end segment, Malaysia has exported frozen durian segments to China since 2011. This year, if Vietnam is allowed to export frozen durian, durian prices will stabilize 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 to be successful.

Thi Ha

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