Durian in an orchard in the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho. Photo by VnExpress/Manh Khuong
Overseas shipments of Vietnamese durian brought home approximately US$1.7 billion between January and July, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Given favourable conditions, agricultural experts predict that durian exports will grow in the remaining months of the year, potentially pushing the total value to $3.5 billion by the year’s end.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), noted that farmers in Mekong Delta provinces such as Tien Giang and Vinh Long have ramped up off-season durian production, significantly boosting output during this seven-month period. Currently, around 50-60% of growing areas in the region are focusing on off-season production.
In addition, unfavourable weather conditions have caused a sharp decline in Thailand’s durian output, creating further opportunities for Vietnam in the market, Nguyen added.
Meanwhile, a substantial volume of durian, particularly from the Central Highlands, will be exported in the remaining months of the year.
Durian is currently grown in the Mekong Delta, southeast, central coastal, and Central Highlands regions. The delta harvests its main crop from April to August, the central coast from April to June, the southeastern region from May to July, and the Central Highlands from July to November.
