Vietnam exported a record US$3.86 billion worth of durian last year, over 20% higher than in 2024.
It was by far the top export item of any fruit or vegetable, accounting for over 45% of the total of $8.56 billion, according to customs data.
Next in the list was fresh coconut, which rose by 36.6% but was a distant second at $534 million.
Dragon fruit followed with $526 million after a marginal decline.
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Durians at an orchard in the former Mekong Delta province of Long An. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam |
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, attributed the growth in durian exports to businesses’ ability to adapt to stricter quality and other requirements imposed by some markets.
But to sustain growth, they must continue to focus on control and find new markets, he added.
China remained the largest market thanks to protocols signed last year that allowed for the exports of frozen durians and fresh coconuts.
Shipments to the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Europe saw strong increases. This year the association expects fruit and vegetable exports to reach $9-10 billion.
