The Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that in the first half of 2024, China increased durian imports from Vietnam.
Specifically, China imported 833,670 tons of durian, worth nearly 3.97 billion USD, up 5.8% in volume and 3.3% in value over the same period last year. The average import price was 4,760 USD/ton, equivalent to nearly 119 million VND/ton, down 2.3% over the same period last year.
Thailand was the largest durian supplier for China. However, in the first 6 months of the year, China only imported 558,300 tons from Thailand, worth 2.85 billion USD, down 7.1% in volume and 5.1% in value over the same period last year. China’s total imports decreased from 76.21% in the first 6 months of 2023 to 66.97% in the first 6 months of this year.
Meanwhile, China increased imports of this item from Vietnam. Imports increased 46.3% in volume and 33.3% in value over the same period last year, reaching nearly 273,540 tons, worth 1.11 billion USD. Vietnam’s durian market share in China’s total imports increased from 23.73% to 32.81% in the past 6 months.
China has increased durian imports from Vietnam.
In 2023, Vietnam exported about 500,000 tons of fresh durian, reaching a turnover of 2.3 billion USD, of which 90% was exported to China. The area of durian cultivation is 154,000 hectares, with an output of nearly 1.2 million tons and a growth rate of 15% per year.
Along with importing fresh durians, China also imports frozen durians from Vietnam. On August 19, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the General Administration of Customs (GACC) signed a protocol on the export of frozen durian. According to the MARD, frozen durian is a priority product with the potential to contribute significantly to the export turnover of agricultural products.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that the demand for frozen durian in China is huge. Frozen durian has so far been mainly exported to Thailand and some distant markets, such as the US and EU, with a turnover of a few hundred million USD per year.
Compared to fresh durian, frozen durian has a higher added value. The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association expects that frozen durian exports can reach an export turnover of 400–500 million USD in 2024. When officially exported to this market, Vietnam’s frozen durian exports may increase further in 2025.
To ensure export requirements, Vietnam’s export frozen durian packaging facilities must meet the requirements of food hygiene and safety, packaging procedures, traceability, food safety, and HACCP procedures. Along with that, there are some requirements on freezing capacity and cold storage.
In addition to durian, Vietnam also exports more than 10 items of vegetables and fruits to China, including dragon fruit, longan, lychee, rambutan, mango, watermelon, jackfruit, banana, mangosteen, and sweet potato.