Durian prices see positive signs from new market trend

Export markets expand for billion-dollar industry

After months of decline caused by export bottlenecks and strong supply pressure, the durian market in the Mekong Delta is showing positive signs of recovery. Purchasing prices have rebounded in many specialized growing areas, exporters are accelerating shipments, and the opening of new markets is giving growers renewed hope for a revival of this billion-dollar fruit industry.

In many key durian-growing areas in Can Tho, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long in recent days, durian trading activities have become more vibrant compared to the beginning of the harvest season. Traders are returning to orchards more frequently, especially for durians destined for export markets.

According to market observations, the farm-gate price of Ri6 durian currently ranges from VND 25,000-35,000 per kilogram, up by around VND 7,000-10,000 per kilogram compared to a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, Thai durian varieties are being purchased at approximately VND 50,000-60,000 per kilogram.

Mr. Tran Van Thoi, a durian trader in Phong Dien Commune, Can Tho, said that although the current period is close to the end of the durian season, most of the purchased volume is intended for export to China and several other Asian markets.

According to several durian export companies in Dong Thap, procurement activities have become more favorable as cargo inspection and customs clearance procedures have improved significantly. Previously, many containers of durian had to wait for extended periods at border gates due to limited inspection capacity, leading to domestic oversupply and sharp price declines. Currently, the number of shipments processed each day has increased, enabling exporters to accelerate shipments once again.

However, the latest price rebound has also left many growers with mixed feelings, as most durian orchards have already entered the late-harvest stage. Many farmers had harvested and sold their produce before prices recovered and therefore have not been able to fully benefit from the current price increase.

Beyond the recovery in traditional markets, Vietnamese durian is also seeing positive signals in more demanding markets such as the United States, South Korea, Australia, and Japan. This is considered an encouraging development as the durian industry seeks to gradually reduce its dependence on a limited number of traditional export markets.

In particular, demand for frozen durian is currently rising rapidly in many countries due to its longer shelf life and greater transportation convenience. This is expected to create additional room for growth in consumption and exports for Viet Nam’s durian industry in the coming years.

Notably, Viet Nam is expected to officially begin exporting durian to India starting July 2026, following the completion of the necessary procedures. With its large population and growing demand for tropical fruits, India is considered a highly promising market for Vietnamese durian.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, a member of the Ngu Hiep Durian Cooperative in Dong Thap, said that the recovery of durian export markets has helped stabilize growers’ confidence after a prolonged period of low prices.

According to Mr. Tam, many farmers were previously worried as durian prices had fallen sharply while input costs for fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, and labor continued to rise. Now that exporters have resumed strong purchasing activities, growers are regaining confidence in the market.

However, in order to maintain stable market access, cooperatives across Dong Thap are encouraging farmers to tighten safe farming practices, limit the use of unapproved chemicals, and strictly comply with regulations on planting area codes.

“The market today is not only about output volume but also places extremely high demands on quality and traceability. If farmers adopt professional production practices and comply with the required procedures, export opportunities will remain very promising,” Mr. Tam said.

Tightening quality control to maintain export markets

For this industry to access more demanding markets, products must comply with increasingly strict regulations on chemical residues, food safety, and traceability, requiring both businesses and farmers to change their production mindset.

Ms. Phan Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Plant Quarantine Center II under the Department of Plant Production and Protection, said that Vietnamese durian has continued to gain access to many export markets in recent years. However, new regulations imposed by importing countries are becoming increasingly stringent.

China is currently implementing Decree 248 and Decree 249 to strengthen traceability supervision and risk management for imported agricultural products. This requires farmers, cooperatives, and businesses to fully understand market regulations in order to develop appropriate production plans.

The most important priority at present is to focus on safe cultivation practices, ensure food safety and hygiene, and strictly control chemical residues. At the same time, traceability must be rigorously implemented throughout the entire supply chain, from input materials to preliminary processing and packaging stages.

For packing facilities, it is essential to comply with one-way processing procedures in order to minimize the risk of pest contamination during cargo handling. Post-harvest chemicals used must be included in the list of substances approved by both Viet Nam and the importing countries.

In addition, businesses are required to maintain complete records of raw materials, planting area codes, and product handling procedures to support traceability when necessary. This is considered a mandatory requirement for maintaining stable export activities amid increasingly fierce competition.

According to Ms. Phan Thi Thu Hien, relevant authorities are strengthening guidance for businesses to meet technical requirements while also supporting the registration process with importing countries in order to expand export opportunities for Vietnamese durian in the coming period.

$1 = VND 26,393 (source: Vietcombank).