Vietnam imported VND300 billion (US$11.8 million) worth of durian, mostly from Thailand and Malaysia, in the first 11 months last year, a sixfold increase from the same period in 2023.
In November alone, Vietnam spent $3 million on durian imports, a surge of 11 times year-on-year.
Vietnam bought mostly small durians from Thailand, which are favored by middle-income consumers.
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A durian imported from Thailand is pictured in Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Hoan |
Frozen Musang King durians from Malaysia, meanwhile, are highly praised for their consistent quality and are often imported to produce premium pastry products.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, said that Vietnamese farmers face challenges cultivating the Musang King variety due to unsuitable weather conditions and technical limitations. As a result, many have opted to grow other durian types for better yields.
The surge in imports, however, does not overshadow Vietnam’s durian export achievements.
In 2024, the country’s durian exports reached $3.3 billion, an increase of more than $1 billion compared to the previous year.
Durians accounted for nearly 50% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export revenue.
Vietnam aims to increase durian exports to $3.5 billion this year, contributing to a total fruit and vegetable export target of $8 billion.
This two-way trade flow not only diversifies the domestic market but also serves as a catalyst for Vietnam’s durian industry to solidify its position in the global market.
