In the first 9 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly 5.7 billion USD, of which durian alone earned 2.5 billion USD.

Durian is a bright spot in the fruit and vegetable export picture.

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the first 9 months of 2024, fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly 5.7 billion USD, a record high, of which durian alone earned 2.5 billion USD. Other fruits such as dragon fruit, banana, jackfruit and mango also contributed significantly to export growth.

Durian exports in the first 9 months of 2024 will earn 2.5 billion USD (Photo: Minh Quy)

Among the 10 main markets importing Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, most recorded strong growth, except for the Netherlands. China continues to be the largest market with an import turnover of more than 3 billion USD in the first 8 months of the year, up 36% over the same period last year. Followed by the US, South Korea and Thailand with import value growth of 35 - 90%.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said that fruit tree production in our country has continuously grown in area and output. In 2023, the total fruit tree area of ​​the whole country will reach nearly 1.25 million hectares, an increase of more than 1.6 times compared to 2013. The total output is about 14 million tons. The two largest fruit tree production regions in the country are the Mekong Delta, accounting for 33% of the area, and the Northern midlands and mountainous areas, accounting for 23% of the area.

The whole country currently has about 50 types of fruit trees, including temperate, subtropical and tropical fruits; In which, the group of tropical fruits has an export advantage. In 2023, the export value of fruits and vegetables will reach more than 5.6 billion USD - 1.47 times higher than in 2018 (the year with the highest export value of fruits and vegetables in the previous period).

In particular, the export value of durian in 2023 will grow rapidly, surpassing dragon fruit, reaching the number 1 position, with about 2.2 billion USD (an increase of more than 5 times compared to 2022). The demand for consumption and the market space for fruits and vegetables worldwide are large, continuously increasing from 222 billion USD in 2013 to 311 billion USD in 2022, an increase of more than 1.4 times after 10 years.

Vietnam's main durian export is currently to the Chinese market. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen - General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - informed that the export of durian to this market is also facing considerable competition. Accordingly, China is testing the cultivation of 2,700 hectares on Hainan Island and seeking to be self-sufficient in supply from countries with favorable climates. Next, some Vietnamese enterprises have not been aware of complying with the Protocol signed between the two countries, causing many technical violations to occur. In addition, the race to export durian from Vietnam to China is increasingly fierce as Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, etc. join in.

Must comply with the rules of the market

In order for fruits in general and durian in particular to have a foothold in the export market, Mr. Nguyen Van Muoi - Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association - said that the production organization process needs to apply VietGAP, GlobalGAP standards...; focus on building standards for each type of fruit and vegetable; the cultivation process needs to be mechanized, applying technical advances to improve quality, reduce production costs and increase profits.

In particular, in cultivation, it is necessary to apply traceability using electronic diaries to make the production process transparent, create trust for consumers; build a promotion and marketing strategy for the product, associated with Specialty Products, Geographical Indications, and Organic Products.

According to the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), each year China imports fresh durian worth 7 billion USD, and it is expected that in the next few years, this figure will exceed 10 billion USD. Last year, China imported 1 billion USD of frozen durian. This figure is also expected to increase.

On August 19, 2024, Vietnam and China signed a Protocol on the export of frozen durian to a market of more than 1.4 billion people. Regarding the strengths of frozen durian, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu - Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department - said that fresh durian is only 30% pulp, 70% seeds, the shell must be removed, causing environmental pollution. Consumers in China will soon switch to frozen products, because it is more suitable. Frozen durian has a long shelf life, can be used immediately or used as an ingredient for other products.

To increase durian export turnover to the Chinese market, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu recommended that businesses, packaging facilities, and growing areas pay special attention to a number of things when exporting durian to the Chinese market. “If we do not rectify and raise awareness of compliance with regulations, China will take action. This is very unfortunate, because just because a few businesses violate, the whole industry is affected,” said Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu.

According to experts, to cope with increasing competition, Vietnamese businesses need to focus on improving product quality, diversifying export markets, and strictly complying with the regulations in the signed Protocol.

More importantly, businesses must proactively build closely linked chains from growing areas to packaging facilities, combined with developing a traceability system to ensure transparency when required. With frozen durian, businesses need to invest in freezing technology, improve techniques and enhance product quality to meet international standards, thereby increasing competitiveness in the global market.

Source: Cong Thuong Newspaper