Vietnam’s durian exports to China have taken a dramatic nosedive, plummeting 74% year-on-year to just $130 million in the first four months of 2025. In light of this steep decline, the Vietnamese government is scrambling to find solutions to remove the technical barriers that are hampering cross-border shipments.
Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy is spearheading efforts to align with Chinese customs to tackle the issues that are obstructing Vietnam’s durian exports. He highlighted that the sharp decrease can be traced to a maze of unclear legal frameworks, inefficient quarantine procedures, and insufficient quality management systems. Moreover, the certification of codes for farms, packing facilities, and laboratory systems has failed to meet China’s increasingly rigorous standards.
To address these pressing concerns, Duy emphasized the need for improved cooperation with Chinese authorities to eliminate these technical roadblocks. The issuance of codes for farms and packing facilities must accelerate, and quarantine processes should be revamped urgently to boost exports and adjust plans in response to market demands.
Looking ahead, Duy advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the legal structures governing agricultural exports alongside a rigorous enhancement of technical standards throughout the entire supply chain—from cultivation and harvesting to processing and export. He underscored the urgency of restructuring the durian industry towards a more sustainable future.
Additionally, Duy encouraged the development of value-added durian products, such as frozen variations, to increase overall value and decrease dependency on fresh fruit exports.
Amidst these challenges, Vietnam’s total exports of fruits and vegetables reached $1.62 billion during the same period, reflecting a 14% decrease from the previous year. In the domestic market, durian prices have also taken a hit, falling to around VND35,000–40,000 (approximately $1.35–$1.54) per kilogram at the farm level—only one-third of what they were during the same time last year.
Turns out that despite being dubbed the “king of fruits,” durians are having a hard time reigning in the export market!
What caused the 74% drop in Vietnam’s durian exports to China?
The significant drop is attributed to unclear legal frameworks, inadequate quarantine procedures, and insufficient quality management, coupled with the failure to meet China’s stringent requirements for certification and codes.
What actions is the Vietnamese government taking to improve exports?
The government is enhancing cooperation with Chinese customs, expediting the issuance of codes for growing areas and packing facilities, and improving quarantine processes to boost export potential.
What is being suggested to enhance the value of durians moving forward?
There are recommendations to develop value-added products such as frozen durians, allowing for a higher value addition and less reliance on fresh durian exports.
