Promoting Ri6 durian consumption in Australia

By the end of the year, Australia is expected to import over 100 tons of Ri6 durian, at the whole fruit selling price of about VND 320,000 per kg.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, Ri6 durian has a great appeal in a market with over 25 million people since the beginning of 2021. In the export period at the end of July 2021, more than 15 tons of this frozen durian were sold out within 2 days of distribution.

Currently, about 45 tons of Ri6 durian are to be exported to Australia. Although not yet available, the entire shipment has already been ordered by stores. The floor price is estimated at AUD 18.99 per kg (approximately VND 320,000) for whole frozen durians, and AUD 20-25 per kg for peeled durians.

"Ri6 durian has a brand presence in Australia. Consumers prefer quality over price," remarked the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia.

Since October 2019, Ri6 durian has been actively creating an image in Australia. With an initial order of about half a ton, in order to perform the Journey to enjoy durian on antique cars on the streets of Sydney, Vietnamese durians have created a great consumption effect.

Australia is considered a difficult market, because durians from many countries have been competing fiercely here for decades. However, Ri6 with many advantages such as signature aroma, moderate sweetness and fatty taste still gradually dominates the market.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Chau, former director of the Southern Fruit Research Institute once assessed: "Ri6 durian is one of the best durian varieties in the Mekong Delta".

Many Vietnamese durian export companies are greatly interested in the Australian market. According to the Department of Trade Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade), by the end of 2021, about 100 tons of Ri6 durian will be exported to the country of the kangaroos.

In the Mekong Delta, durian is one of the main fruit yields, bringing high economic value. At the beginning of the 2021 harvest season, the price of durian increased to VND 60,000 - 70,000 per kg, while retail prices at markets and supermarkets ranged from VND 90,000 to VND 100,000, increased by VND 10,000 to VND 20,000 compared to the same period last year. 

In addition to the traditional durian growing provinces in the Mekong Delta such as Ben Tre and Tien Giang, durian trees are now grown in the Central Highlands, in Gia Lai, Lam Dong, and Dak Lak.

The potential for durian development is great, but due to the impact of the pandemic, the circulation of goods and agricultural products has been halted. Durian prices, including Ri6, are currently on a downward trend in some provinces. At the end of July 2021, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of Dak Lak Fruit Association said, Ri6 price reduced by half compared to the same period last year. In August, the proposed price of Ri6 durian is about VND 22,000 per kg.