Vietnam's durian industry is gaining ground globally, exporting to 24 destinations and poised for further growth if the Indian market opens next year.

Vietnam's durian industry is gaining ground globally, exporting to 24 destinations and poised for further growth if the Indian market opens next year.

Pioneering Entry into the Indian Market

Vietnam's fresh durian exports have been diversifying rapidly. Alongside its primary market, China, fresh durians are now shipped to 23 other destinations. In the first eight months of 2023, Vietnam exported more than 300,000 tons of fresh durians. Additionally, the country exports frozen durians to 23 markets, with shipments to 10 of these markets in 2023.

Vietnam officially started mainstream durian exports to China in 2022 following the signing of a protocol in July of that year. Presently, there are 422 cultivation regions and 153 approved packaging facilities in Vietnam. Furthermore, 64 cultivation regions and 15 packaging facilities are undergoing approval processes to meet China's standards. Over 600 cultivation region codes and 50 packaging facilities await approval from Chinese authorities.

Negotiations are underway to open up the Indian market for Vietnamese durian exports in 2024, a promising market with substantial potential. However, ensuring quality and production standards will be paramount for success in this venture.

Exploring Processing and Value Addition

Vietnam's durian industry has seen rapid growth over the last two years. To keep up with regional competitors like Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Vietnam aims to address certain issues. This includes the development of appropriate policies and standards to ensure quality and safety. In addition to fresh produce, there is an increasing emphasis on processed durian products, adding value to exports.

For example, the attention should be on frozen durian, which, if properly addressed, could open doors to international markets.

Leveraging International Agreements for Growth

Vietnam is a party to several international agreements, such as the CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP, as well as larger communities like ASEAN and the Asia-Europe Economic Community. These agreements offer the potential for increased durian exports in terms of value. Thus, experts proposed that Vietnam explore other markets through new-generation FTAs

Vietnam boasts a substantial amount of durian cultivation, with a total production of approximately 900,000 tons. Cultivation regions are spread throughout the country. Among them, four provinces have durian cultivation areas exceeding 10,000 hectares and production exceeding 50,000 tons per year. These provinces include Dak Lak (28,600 hectares and 190,000 tons), Lam Dong (17,700 hectares and 106,000 tons), Tien Giang (17,700 hectares and 293,000 tons), and Dong Nai (11,500 hectares and 69,000 tons).
According to data from the General Department of Customs, durian exports generated nearly $1.3 billion in revenue in the first eight months of 2023, making it the leading agricultural export. With this export trajectory, experts predict durian exports in 2023 could reach $1.6-1.7 billion, establishing durian as a significant player in Vietnam's agricultural export sector.

The durian industry is expected to continue breaking export records, especially as investments flow into durian cultivation regions following high standards for exports.

To navigate the ever-evolving landscape of durian exports and secure top-quality products, B2B clients can turn to Fosacha, an up-and-coming Vietnamese fruit exporter. With a track record of excellence in the fruit export industry, Fosacha offers a wide range of durian products and solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of international markets.