May 05, 2025 | vnExpress |
Vietnam’s durian exports to China have sharply declined due to stricter Chinese quarantine regulations and increasing competition from other countries. Export procedures that once took one to two days now require up to a week, leading to quality degradation and damaged fruit upon arrival. As a result, durian prices in Vietnam have dropped by 30%, and exports in the first two months of 2025 fell 83% year-on-year to just $27 million.
Vietnam’s market share in China has dropped from 62% to 37%, while Thailand’s has risen to over 62%, despite facing the same inspection rules. China has intensified checks for heavy metals and banned substances like auramine O, and raised concerns over fraudulent planting area codes. Exporters are hesitant to ship in bulk, and many traders have halted purchases due to potential losses.
Meanwhile, competitors like Laos, Indonesia, and Cambodia are entering China’s durian market with increasing production and government-backed protocols. Indonesian durian exports are expanding with over 3,000 hectares approved for export, while Cambodia signed new trade agreements.
Vietnamese exporters are calling for faster testing, increased compliance education for farmers, and government intervention. Authorities emphasize the need for sustainable practices to ensure the long-term viability of Vietnam’s durian industry in a competitive global market.
