In the initial two months of 2026, durian exports to China have seen a significant upsurge, increasing by 469% compared to the previous year. Lobster exports have also witnessed a substantial rise, growing by 65% during the same period. The sale of durian fruit alone contributed $300 million to the economy, aiding the steady progress of fruit and vegetable exports while other goods experienced a downturn.
High-quality Monthong durian is being purchased at orchards for VND140,000–150,000 ($5.7) per kilogram, while Ri6 durian is priced at VND80,000–84,000, indicating a 30–50% increase from the previous year’s rate.
Lobster exports, particularly of the green variety, have brought $259 million to the economy, growing by 32%.
China continues to be an important market for fresh produce, particularly in the period surrounding the Lunar New Year, which typically falls between mid-January and mid-February.
The competitiveness of lobsters has been enhanced due to improvements in quality, increased transparency concerning their origin, and better traceability.
The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association’s Secretary General, Dang Phuc Nguyen, attributes the surge in durian exports to the resolution of quarantine-related issues and seasonal advantages.
While several countries have concluded their fruit harvest period, Vietnam’s off-season supply coincides with China’s peak demand during the Lunar New Year, triggering a significant increase in orders.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment credits the growth to sustained demand for Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, indicating promising opportunities for market expansion.
Despite these positive figures, there are challenges to overcome. The supply of fisheries, for instance, is limited. A number of shrimp farmers in the south-central region have reported that storms towards the end of the last year affected their farms.
Additionally, this year’s off-season durian production has decreased by 30–40% owing to adverse weather conditions.
What has caused the increase in lobster competitiveness?
Improvements in quality, greater transparency about origin, and higher traceability have all contributed to the increased competitiveness of lobsters.
Why is there a surge in durian exports to China?
The rise in durian exports is attributed to the resolution of quarantine-related bottlenecks and seasonal advantages, combined with Vietnam’s off-season supply coinciding with China’s peak demand during the Lunar New Year.
What challenges are currently faced by the fishery and fruit sectors in Vietnam?
The fishery sector is struggling with limited supply due to storms that affected shrimp farms in the south-central region last year. The fruit sector, particularly the durian industry, has seen a decrease in off-season production by 30-40% due to unfavorable weather conditions.
