Durian exports brought in approximately 1.8 billion USD in the first 7 months of the year, up nearly 30% compared to the same period last year. Nevertheless, our country's "king of fruits" faces prices growing ever cheaper.

According to calculations by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, by the end of July this year, durian exports were estimated at 1.8 billion USD, up nearly 30% compared to the same period last year.

Regarding export market structure as of the end of June, China maintained its number 1 position, reaching turnover of 987.9 million USD, up 43.1% compared to the same period in 2025 and accounting for 91% of Vietnam's total durian export value in the first 6 months of the year.

Estimated for the full year, exports of the "king of fruits" can bring in around 4 billion USD. The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association considers that during the main harvest season, export turnover in August and September can reach around 1 billion USD per month.

Although exports still surged strongly in turnover value, durian prices in domestic and export markets declined deeply.

In mid-July, the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) stated that Vietnam's Monthong durian variety in the Chinese market sold at prices from 20–30 RMB/0.5 kg (equivalent to 2.79–4.18 USD), significantly lower than the level of 35–45 RMB/0.5 kg in the same period last year.

Similarly, at wholesale markets in China, wholesale prices for Grade A Vietnamese Monthong durian dropped from 36.5 RMB/0.5 kg (5.09 USD) down to 13 RMB/0.5 kg (1.81 USD) during the period from April to June.

Domestically, on the Durian Price portal, Ri6 durian prices on August 3 in the Southeast region ranged from 25,000–60,000 VND/kg depending on grade, while Monthong prices stood at 40,000–85,000 VND/kg; in the Central Highlands, prices for Ri6 and Monthong durians were respectively at 25,000–54,000 VND/kg and 32,000–74,000 VND/kg depending on grade.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tao, a durian farmer in Dak Nong, shared that last year prior to the harvest season, traders came directly to orchards to finalize purchases of all Grade 1 fruit at 70,000 VND/kg. His family's durian orchard last year achieved a Grade 1 fruit ratio exceeding 70%.

"This year durian prices stand lower. At this moment, merely around 15 days remain before entering the harvest season, yet traders no longer place deposits to finalize purchases as before," he said.

Supply surging strongly, selling prices will fall

Speaking with reporters on the afternoon of August 3, the CEO of a major fruit and vegetable export enterprise in Vietnam acknowledged that during the first 7 months of this year, his enterprise's exported durian volume still rose by about 8% compared to the same period last year, but total value dropped significantly.

"Durian output in our country increases strongly every year," this CEO emphasized. Meanwhile, the main output market for durian still relies heavily on the Chinese market.

Importantly, previously the durian supply source for China comprised solely Thailand and Vietnam. Currently, additional durian from multiple Southeast Asian nations is landing in this billion-people market. When supply surges strongly while demand increases merely slightly, durian prices are pulled downward.

This serves as the principal reason his enterprise's export durian volume still rose while recovered value dropped, this manager stated.

Reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also show that in 2022 (the first year Vietnam officially exported durian to China), our country's durian cultivation area stood at merely around 110,000 hectares. By the end of June this year, this figure reached 198,600 hectares, representing an increase exceeding 80%.

Durian output in the first 6 months was estimated at 603,300 tons despite not yet entering the main harvest season, up 12.7% compared to the same period in 2025.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, also admitted that orchard-gate durian prices this year stand lower than expectations of many orchard owners.

He evaluated that the cause stems from newly planted areas from previous years entering harvest periods, causing durian output this year to climb high. If last year's output reached over 1 million tons, this year's can exceed 2 million tons.

Beside that, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos are also expanding export volumes of durian into the Chinese market, making competition increasingly fierce.

Concurrently, China tightening inspections on growing area codes, packaging facilities, alongside cadmium and Auramine O indicators causes inspection processes to drag out. Many shipments must wait at border gates, leading to degraded durian quality. From there, buyers force prices down to compensate for risks.

"That is the reason durian prices this year stand lower than last year," Mr. Nguyen clearly pointed out. Additionally, rainy weather combined with uneven farming techniques also reduces the ratio of Grade A fruit.

To prevent durian from becoming a "shared sorrow," functional authorities have recently made efforts to clear export markets. For instance, following a long period of negotiation, in mid-July, India officially opened its market to Vietnamese durian.

Being officially exported to India opens up new growth room for Vietnamese durian. This is a market with a large population scale and high demand for imported agricultural products and food, expected to contribute to market diversification and diminish reliance on a number of traditional markets.

Beside that, the Government issued Resolution No. 36/2026 stipulating the simplification of administrative procedures regarding growing area codes and packaging facility codes. Under the new process, dossier review time frames are fast and more transparent compared to previously. When the number of growing area codes approved by China increases, it also means durian output qualifying for export to this market rises.

When durian output is secured, consumption pressure in the domestic market will diminish and durian prices will stand more stable, Mr. Nguyen noted.

Source: Bao VietNamNet