According to data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports in the first 4 months of the year reached nearly USD 1.9 billion, an increase of 37.4% over the same period last year. In particular, durian contributes up to 25% of the total export value of the entire industry with a turnover of more than USD 470 million, an increase of 2.4 times over the same period in 2023.

In April alone, durian export turnover reached USD 217.5 million, an increase of 2.7 times over the previous month and an increase of 5.9 times over the same period last year.

Regarding consumption markets, Vietnam exported durian to 17 markets in the world in the first four months of the year. China is the leading market with a turnover of USD 432.2 million, an increase of 2.7 times the same period last year and accounting for 92% of Vietnam's total durian exports.

Followed by Thailand with USD 22.5 million, an increase of 81.7% over the same period and accounting for 4.8% of the market share.

In addition to the two markets above, durian export turnover to Hong Kong increased by 0.5%; to Papua New Guinea increased by 18.6%; to Japan increased by 77.2%; to Korea Republic increased by 70.3%; In particular, to the Netherlands increased by 359.1%.

In contrast, durian export turnover to Taiwan decreased by 17.3%; to the U.S. decreased by 53.3%; to Canada decreased by 12.4%.

Durian exports increased sharply in the past month but prices are on the decline.

Accordingly, the average export price of Vietnam's durian in April decreased for the second consecutive month compared to the previous month, with a decrease of 11.3% to USD 3,972/ton.

In the domestic market, as of May 28, durian prices decreased by 35 - 45% compared to the peak reached at the end of March. Currently, the price of premium Ri6 durians is at the highest level of VND 88,000/kg, while the price of Thai durian grown in the Southwest region is at the highest level of VND 115,000/kg.

The reason for this decrease is believed to be due to a sharp increase in supply after Vietnam and Thailand both entered the harvest season.

The volume of durian that China imported from Vietnam increased by 91.4% to 79,302 tons. Vietnam's durian market share in China imports has increased to 39.2% compared to 34.6% the previous year.

Despite the heat, Vietnamese durian is said to be "marginally better" than Thailand due to lower production and transportation costs. Vietnam's average durian export price to China in the first 4 months of the year reached USD 4,663/ton, lower than Thailand's at USD 5,904/ton.

Kylie Nguyen