According to statistics from the Chinese customs agency, in 2024, the country imported 1.56 million tons of durian, worth nearly 7 billion USD, up 9.4% in volume and 4% in value compared to 2023.

The average import price of durian into China reached 4,957 USD/ton, down 4.9%. Of which, the import price of durian from Vietnam and the Philippines decreased, while the import price from Thailand increased.

Regarding the supply structure last year, China imported 809,880 tons of durian from Thailand, worth over 4 billion USD, down 12.8% in volume and 12.1% in value compared to 2023.

In contrast, China has sharply increased its imports of this fruit from Vietnam. Specifically, the country of a billion people spent nearly 2.94 billion USD to buy 736,720 tons of durian. Compared to 2023, durian imports from Vietnam increased by 49.4% in volume and 37.5% in value.

Accordingly, Vietnam continues to be the second largest supplier of durian to the Chinese market. Notably, the market share of Vietnamese durian in China's total imports increased sharply to 47.2% in volume and 42% in value, about to catch up with competitor Thailand.

Preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs show that last year, Vietnam's durian exports continued to boom, helping this fruit industry earn 3.21 billion USD, an increase of 43.2% compared to 2023, equivalent to an increase of nearly 1 billion USD.

This "fruit king" of our country accounts for nearly 45% of the total export turnover of the entire Vietnamese fruit and vegetable industry in 2024.

However, in recent months, our country's durian exports have been warned by Chinese customs that some shipments do not comply with requirements on plant quarantine and food safety.

In addition, some subjects have taken advantage of fraud and illegally copied the codes of growing areas and the codes of durian packaging facilities for export through contracts authorizing the use of codes with fake and homemade seals and signatures. From there, they have defrauded businesses and bypassed authorities to profit and clear customs for export to the Chinese market.

If this situation is not well controlled, it will seriously affect the reputation and brand of Vietnamese agricultural products in the international market, and at the same time there is a high risk of losing market share.

Recently, in addition to heavy metals, China has also tightened inspection of gold O on 100% of durian shipments imported into this market.

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Durian exports to China to increase sharply in 2024. Photo: MK

Discussing the export of durian to China, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that during the production and export process to the Chinese market, most durian shipments were of good quality, and export turnover increased sharply.

However, Mr. Tien admitted that in the initial stages of export, there were certain "deviations" in some facilities, businesses, planting and packaging areas.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the Plant Protection Department and localities to seriously review and rectify, thereby producing on a large scale with high export rates and guaranteed prices.

“Last year, exports of this fruit achieved strong growth. Therefore, China is still a very important market for Vietnamese agricultural products, including durian,” the Deputy Minister emphasized.

Regarding China's tightening of technical barriers to imported durian, the Deputy Minister said that each market has its own standards and regulations for imported goods and we are forced to comply when exporting to them.

Therefore, when there are problems with shipments, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regularly and continuously directs. The Plant Protection Department also affirms to review and immediately rectify production and export activities to limit the number of violating enterprises to the lowest level.

This is a key crop with many advantages for Vietnam, and at the same time brings great value in export. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also signed a protocol on exporting frozen durian to China. Therefore, we must take it seriously to maintain the growth rate of the durian industry, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien noted.

Mr. Tien also informed that our country currently has a durian growing area of ​​up to 169,000 hectares, of which the fruit harvesting area is quite large with an estimated output of about 1.55 million tons this year.

Selling durian to China: Vietnam makes a breakthrough, Thailand launches a special campaign In the race to export durian to the Chinese market, Vietnam recorded a breakthrough in turnover and market share, Thailand had to "speed up" to launch a special campaign to improve the quality of this fruit.