Durian exports in 2024 are projected to potentially exceed 3 billion USD

According to preliminary data from the General Department of Customs, the export revenue of fruits and vegetables in September reached over 920 million USD, an increase of 9.1% compared to the previous month and up 37.9% year-on-year. This record figure is largely attributed to the durian harvest in the Central Highlands provinces.

In total, for the first nine months of 2024, the country's fruit and vegetable export revenue is estimated at nearly 5.7 billion USD, representing an increase of nearly 34% compared to the same period last year.

Among these, the top ten export markets for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables remain China, the United States, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

Notably, China continues to be the largest importer of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. In the first eight months, China spent approximately 3.1 billion USD on importing fruits and vegetables from Vietnam, an increase of 36% compared to the same period last year. Following China is the United States, which imported nearly 227 million USD worth of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, marking a 35% increase year-on-year.

Durian continues to be the major contributor to Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export value to key markets. The export value of durian in September is estimated to exceed 500 million USD, marking the first time this figure has been recorded for this product.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), highlighted that China currently allocates approximately 7 billion USD each year for importing fresh durian and around 1 billion USD for frozen durian. This figure is expected to continue rising in the coming years. 

This represents a highly promising market for Vietnamese frozen durian in the near future. However, to successfully export to this market, the Plant Protection Department also emphasizes that companies must be aware of and comply with the protocol signed between the two countries, as well as adhere to China's Customs Order 248.

As a result, it is essential for businesses to register with the relevant authorities and ensure that all documentation is complete and approved by the Chinese side. Additionally, companies must establish a comprehensive food safety management system. This system should be evaluated by Chinese Customs based on 13 specific criteria and must meet the equivalent standards set by China. 

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), assessed that the outlook for fruit and vegetable exports in 2024 continues to be positive, especially as the durian harvest season in the Central Highlands is underway and will last until the end of October.

It is forecasted that durian exports in 2024 could exceed 3 billion USD, making a significant contribution to Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable export revenue. Therefore, it is crucial for exporters to focus on ensuring both the quality and quantity of their products. Adhering meticulously to the standards and regulations set forth by importing countries is vital in this process. By meeting these requirements, Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export revenue has the potential to achieve new record highs. 

In addition to durian, other products exported to the 1.4 billion-strong market also hold significant promise and contribute greatly to export revenues, including bird's nest, sweet potatoes, longan, rambutan, mango, jackfruit, watermelon, banana, black jelly, mangosteen, lychee, passion fruit and dragon fruit.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, adverse weather conditions and heavy rainfall since August have affected the harvest yield and quality of some fruits and vegetables, such as dragon fruit, mango, longan, custard apple and jackfruit. However, for the first eight months of 2024, the overall supply of fruits and vegetables remains relatively abundant, with increases in the production of durian, guava, jackfruit, passion fruit and oranges, while the yield of dragon fruit has decreased by over 6%.

It is forecasted that in the fourth quarter of 2024, fruit and vegetable exports will continue to grow positively due to increased demand from global markets during the year-end season, along with advantages from trade agreements and signed protocols.

According to the Dak Lak Durian Association, the province's durian area is expected to reach around 34.000 to 35.000 hectares in 2024, with production exceeding 330.000 tons. Currently, Dak Lak and other provinces in the Central Highlands are in the durian harvesting season, which will last until the end of October, making a significant contribution to the country's overall durian export revenue.

With favorable conditions for fruit and vegetable exports in recent months, as well as the proactive sourcing by exporting companies, there are optimistic expectations that total fruit and vegetable exports for the year 2024 could reach approximately 7 billion USD.