According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in May 2024, agricultural, forestry and fishery exports reached USD 5.06 billion, an increase of 11.2% compared to May 2023; of which, main agricultural products of USD 2.73 billion (an increase of 14.3%). Accumulated over the first five months, exports of most product groups increased, therefore export turnover increased, reaching USD 24.14 billion. Contributing to this result were agricultural products of USD 13.11 billion, an increase of 27.7%; of which, fruits and vegetables alone earned USD 2.59 billion (an increase of 28.1%).

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export activities are forecast to continue to be favorable in the near future thanks to abundant domestic supply, demand from traditional and potential markets tends to increase, especially for some fruits such as durian, which has entered the main harvest, dragon fruit, pineapple, watermelon, and mango, longan, lychee, etc.

Also according to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, currently durian prices in China and domestically are decreasing significantly because durian harvest begins during the main season in Thailand and the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The price of Dona (Monthoong) durian is at VND 85,000 - 95,000/kg and Ri6 is VND 65,000 - 70,000/kg, a decrease of about half compared to the price in December 2023 at VND 150,000 - 180,000/kg.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in April 2024 alone, China spent USD 204 million buying Vietnamese durian, 6.5 times higher than the same period last year. Accumulated over the first 4 months of 2024, the Chinese market spent more than USD 432 million to buy Vietnamese durian, an increase of 168% over the same period last year. Currently, China accounts for 92% of Vietnam's durian export share in 4 months, an increase of 8% over the same period last year.

Durian export price in April decreased to USD 3,972 per ton. However, in the first months of the year, due to high prices, the average 4-month durian export price of Vietnam was USD 4,207 per ton.

According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, the reason why durian export turnover in April increased dramatically is because Vietnamese agricultural products are entering the main season. In addition, exporting durian to China is more convenient when logistics costs are cheap. Vietnam is having more opportunities when this year Thailand - the leading country in durian supply - has a decline in output and quality due to drought. In addition, this year Vietnam was granted twice as many growing area codes compared to 2023, therefore export turnover increased sharply.

According to businesses exporting this product, currently, the durian consumption network in China is expanding; therefore the number of people accessing the product has increased. Besides, Vietnam durian fruit is with higher quality and reasonable prices.

Kylie Nguyen