Durian remains a favorite among China’s growing middle class, with consumers using it in diverse culinary creations. The fruit’s soaring popularity in China has fueled unprecedented demand for Vietnamese durian exports.

According to the General Department of Customs, durian accounted for nearly 50% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export turnover in 2024. China was the largest market, representing over 90% of the total export value. Additionally, exports to Japan and Thailand nearly doubled, while exports to Cambodia saw a staggering 139-fold increase.

High demand drives record profits for farmers

Ahead of the Lunar New Year, many durian collection hubs have temporarily stopped purchasing, yet prices remain high. Ri6 durian fetches 75,000–80,000 VND/kg ($3.15–3.35/kg), while Monthong durian sells for 138,000–143,000 VND/kg ($5.80–6.00/kg).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported a 23% year-over-year increase in durian production, reaching 1.43 million tons in 2024. With consistently high prices, farmers enjoyed a lucrative harvest, sharing tens of trillions of VND in revenue.

In Tien Giang Province, Vietnam's largest durian-growing area, the total plantation area has reached over 19,900 hectares, with 12,492 hectares yielding approximately 355,000 tons annually.

According to Nguyen Van Man, Director of Tien Giang's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, durian generates significant income, earning farmers up to 1.7 billion VND ($71,400) per hectare.

Similarly, in Khanh Hoa Province, durian has become a vital crop in the mountainous districts of Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh. In 2024, the province harvested 17,569 tons, generating approximately 1.23 trillion VND ($51.7 million). Farmers in Khanh Son, some managing plantations of up to 50 hectares, earned profits of around 50 billion VND ($2.1 million).

In Dak Nong Province, 11,654 hectares of durian produced an estimated 41,500 tons in 2024, bringing in roughly 2.49 trillion VND ($104.5 million). Despite weather challenges, farmers in Krong Pac District (Dak Lak Province) harvested over 92,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 11,800 tons. With prices ranging from 60,000–70,000 VND/kg ($2.55–3.00/kg), farmers shared billions of VND in profits.

The growing potential of Vietnam’s durian industry

The global demand for durian continues to grow. China alone imports $7 billion worth of fresh durian and $1 billion in frozen durian annually, with expectations that these figures will surpass $10 billion in the coming years.

Vietnam has approximately 155,000 hectares of durian plantations, with average yields of 25–30 tons per hectare. The country’s ability to harvest durian year-round, coupled with its proximity to China and competitive pricing compared to Thailand, positions Vietnam to further expand its market share.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association projects that durian exports could reach $3.5 billion in 2025, provided quality standards and traceability for growing regions are maintained.

Vietnam is also narrowing the gap with Thailand, its primary competitor in the Chinese market, leveraging its lower prices and consistent supply to solidify its position as a top exporter.

Tam An