Fruit and vegetable export boom: Durian rejoices

Durian exports create billionaires

According to statistics, in 2024, Dak Lak will have a durian area of 34,000–35,000 ha, with an expected output of over 300,000 tons. By the end of the first quarter of 2024, the amount of durian exported had reached approximately 57,000 tons, worth USD 253 million, an increase of 42% in volume and 63.7% in value compared to the same period in 2023.

Mr. Tran Van Thang, Director of Krong Pac Green Agricultural Cooperative (Krong Pac district), said that the Cooperative has linked with 248 households on an area of 162 ha. This year's durian output is estimated at more than 3,000 tons. In this durian harvest season, the Cooperative hires hundreds of workers per day to harvest, transport, clean durian fruits, peel citrus, etc.

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"This year, durian prices are expected to be lower than last year, but in return, the output is high. Thus, after deducting expenses, people will earn a profit of more than VND 1 billion/ha. Thanks to official exports and people's attention to taking care of the gardens and improving quality, the Cooperative's durian is increasingly interested and purchased by businesses," shared Mr. Thang.

Meanwhile, according to Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Thao, Director of Song Toan Phat Services Trading Co., Ltd., the business plans to export about 400–500 containers of durian to the Chinese market.

"The business has signed export contracts and is focusing on purchasing to meet the requirements of partners. It is expected that this year's price of fresh durian sold at the garden will not be as high as last year but will be more stable, making it easier for the business to purchase and export," Ms. Thao informed.

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According to the report of the Krong Pac District People's Committee, in 2024, the entire district's durian area increased by 1,000 ha compared to 2023; the durian area in the business period also increased by 695 ha. The total durian output of the entire district reached over 80,000 tons, expected to earn more than VND 7,000 billion. The durian area granted VietGAP certification has reached over 1,200 ha.

Currently, Krong Pac district has hundreds of durian warehouses that are operating to purchase from people. This is considered the durian granary of Dak Lak province. Ms. Ngo Thi Minh Trinh, Vice Chairwoman of the Krong Pac District People's Committee, said that in recent years, favorable durian exports have brought economic efficiency to people and businesses.

"The value of durian has been increased thanks to official exports, thereby creating billionaire farmers and contributing to the total export value of the agricultural sector. The locality also became the durian granary of the whole province, leading to the development of services and social security," said Ms. Trinh.

Building a brand for Dak Lak durian

Ms. Ngo Tuong Vy, CEO of Chanh Thu Fruit Export-Import Group Joint Stock Company, acknowledged that Vietnamese durian is highly appreciated for its quality compared to the Thai market, and prices are stable compared to the previous crop year.

According to Ms. Vy, Chinese partners currently require Vietnamese durian to follow Thailand's standards. "This year, the quality of durian in the gardens has improved very well; the export volume has increased each year, and there is still a lot of geographical balance for development. However, for sustainable export, the prerequisite is to improve product quality," she said.

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Ms. Vy said that the functional agencies need to continue to proactively develop solutions with cooperatives and purchasing businesses to solve sustainable durian output, bringing benefits to farmers.

“The government needs to increase communication to people about effective durian farming models, protecting their own brand and reputation, protecting land sources and cultivated areas, and controlling pesticides and product quality, etc. Functional agencies need support so that growing areas that have completed registration documents can be inspected soon; improve the linkage chain; handle durian sources well; and expand export markets," Ms. Vy shared.

The quality of Dak Lak durian is increasingly affirmed. This locality now has two districts that have been granted trademark registration certificates by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, which are Krong Pac and Cu M'gar Durian. In addition, two districts are developing projects and registering for trademark protection, including Krong Buk and Ea H'leo.

Currently, Dak Lak province has issued 266 growing area codes with a total area of 7,292 ha. Of these, 68 growing area codes with an area of 2,521 ha have been approved by the General Administration of Customs of China, and 198 growing areas with an area of 4,771 ha are waiting for approval from the General Administration of Customs of China.

To develop the durian industry with high value and sustainability, in recent times, the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee has actively coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, directly with the Department of Crop Production, the Plant Protection Department, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, etc., to implement many activities on production, issuance and management of growing area codes, brand construction, trade promotion, etc.

Particularly, the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee has directed functional sectors and localities in the province to promote dissemination, training, and guidance for people to cultivate durian according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP, HACCP, and ISO 22,000 standards. Actively develop growing area codes, packaging facility codes, traceability, and good control of plant quarantine objects. In recent times, Dak Lak province has organized two seminars to remove difficulties and obstacles for the durian industry.

Mr. Nguyen Thien Van, Vice Chairman of the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee, said that along with the above-mentioned solutions, it is necessary to strengthen the capacity of pre-processing, frozen storage, and deep processing facilities, brand construction, and trade promotion to ensure compliance with the importing country's regulations. The locality will promote building a close linkage chain between farmers, businesses, and export units to ensure the rights of all parties. At the same time, regularly inspect, supervise, and guide people in growing areas and packaging facilities to strictly comply with the regulations in the Protocol on durian fruit exported from Vietnam to China.

According to the Dak Lak Department of Industry and Trade, in 2024, durian is forecast to continue to grow strongly due to a high increase in output and prices. Of which, China will continue to be the main and largest consumption market in 2024 as well as many subsequent years. At the same time, India is also about to become the province's next potential consumption market. Dak Lak organized a conference to connect this locality's durian consumption with businesses in India.