Rather than wait in lengthy queues for customs clearance at the border, they are opting to sell the fruit at a mere VND40,000 (US$1.59) per kilogram.
China’s tighter regulations, including mandatory testing for Auramine O—a chemical classified as potentially carcinogenic—have created significant challenges for exporters, leaving many shipments rejected or delayed.
In Hanoi and other northern provinces like Hai Duong and Quang Ninh and Hai Phong City, container trucks labeled “rescue durian” have appeared on major streets, urging locals to buy durians at discounted rates. Social media platforms and online marketplaces have also been flooded with posts promoting durians at their lowest prices in a year, Vietnamnet reported.
Nguyen Thuy, a resident of Ninh Binh’s Yen Khanh District, appealed for support to sell her relative’s shipment of 18kg of small-seed durians for VND800,000 (around VND44,000 per kilogram).
Similarly, in Quang Ninh’s Hai Ha District, Huyen My sold VIP Ri6 durians at VND450,000 for a 7-8kg box (approximately VND56,000-65,000 per kilogram). “This is the lowest price ever for exported durians,” My told Dan Tri.
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Durians harvested in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam |
One company returned 10 containers from the border and sold the fruit in Hanoi and nearby provinces at VND700,000 per 8.5-9kg box.
The testing requirement for Auramine O was introduced after traces of the chemical were found in Thai durian shipments in late 2024. With the chemical now under strict control for all exporters to China, the sudden regulatory changes have left many Vietnamese businesses unable to adjust quickly, leading to shipment rejections and prolonged delays at the border.
Earlier this month, China also issued warnings about Vietnamese durian and fresh jackfruit exports, citing violations of phytosanitary and food safety standards.
In response, Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department has called on local authorities to increase monitoring of cultivation areas and packaging facilities, tighten inspections for pesticide residues and heavy metals, and suspend export codes for violators. These measures aim to uphold the quality and reputation of Vietnamese fruit exports in international markets.
In 2024, Vietnam’s durian exports reached a record high of $3.3 billion, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total fruit and vegetable export value. China remains the key market.
Vietnam aims to increase durian exports to US$3.5 billion in 2025, contributing to its goal of reaching $10 billion in total fruit and vegetable export value in the near future.
