Seeking solutions to strengthen cross-border durian supply chains

From an export success story to the need for sustainable development

Durian has emerged as one of the fastest-growing agricultural commodities in Vietnam. Since gaining official access to the Chinese market, the country's "king of fruits" has repeatedly set new records in both export volume and value, becoming a key driver of growth for Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable sector.

The figures were presented at the 2nd Asia Durian Workshop and the Viet Nam–China Durian Supply and Demand Trade Connectivity Forum, held on the morning of July 14 in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was jointly organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) – Ho Chi Minh City Branch, iFresh Asia Fruit and Vegetable Industry Expo, and DAKAGO Co., Ltd.

The conference brought together more than 500 participants, including representatives of the Consulate General of China in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam SPS, the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, industry associations, businesses, cooperatives, holders of production unit codes, packing facilities, and importers from both Viet Nam and China. The event aimed to identify solutions for strengthening cross-border durian supply chains.

In his opening remarks, Tran Ngoc Liem, Vice Secretary General of VCCI and Director of VCCI's Ho Chi Minh City Branch, noted that Vietnam's durian industry has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade. National production increased from approximately 366,000 tonnes in 2015 to more than 1.5 million tonnes in 2024, with cultivation expanding to nearly 180,000 hectares.

Notably, durian export value increased from USD 277 million in 2022 to approximately USD 4 billion in 2025, enabling durian to retain its position as Viet Nam's leading fruit and vegetable export. This strong momentum has continued into 2026, with exports reaching USD 562.4 million in the first five months of the year. China alone accounted for 87.5% of the total export value during the period.

Mr. Liem emphasized that despite these encouraging results, Viet Nam's durian industry faces several challenges, including the rapid expansion of cultivation areas, the risk of oversupply, inconsistent product quality, and increasingly stringent requirements for production unit codes, product traceability, phytosanitary measures, and technical standards. He stressed that the industry must now shift from competing on volume to competing on quality, standards, and brand value.

According to the organizers, the conference focuses on three key objectives: strengthening connections between Vietnamese businesses and Chinese distribution networks; providing updates on the latest requirements for product traceability and phytosanitary regulations; and promoting deep processing, brand development, and higher-value-added production in the durian industry.

According to Dang Thi Thuy, Deputy Director of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province is focusing on building the Dak Lak Durian brand to international standards by digitalizing production unit codes, strengthening production management, and enhancing product traceability to meet the requirements of export markets.

At the same time, Dak Lak is promoting green, low-emission agriculture while protecting soil and water resources to develop sustainably certified growing areas. The province is also prioritizing the development of modern supply chains, enabling businesses and cooperatives to connect directly with overseas importers, reduce intermediaries, and increase product value.

Investing in value chains and product traceability

To meet increasingly demanding market requirements, many businesses are making substantial investments in integrated value chains. Nguyen Thi My Duy, Director of 001 Fruit Co., Ltd., said the company is pursuing the strategy of "Partnering with Growers, Connecting Markets, and Elevating Vietnamese Agricultural Products", with officially authorized exports, transparency, and adherence to international standards serving as the foundation for its development.

One of the company's key initiatives is the development of a digital traceability system based on the principle of "one durian, one QR code", while ensuring strict management of production unit codes and packing facility codes in accordance with the requirements of importing countries. "We have established a network of 63 collection points across 20 provinces and cities, connected to a 50,000-square-meter processing plant equipped with automated grading lines and Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) technology, helping ensure export-quality products," Mrs. Duy said.

According to Mrs. Duy, with a supply capacity of approximately 1,200 tonnes per day during the peak harvest season and a transit time of around six days to China's border crossings, the company expects to further reduce logistics costs and strengthen the competitiveness of Vietnamese durian.

Representing the Chinese co-organizer, iFresh Asia Fruit and Vegetable Industry Expo, Cai Jianfei described Ho Chi Minh City as a key gateway connecting Vietnam with global markets. She said the conference marks a new phase in Viet Nam-China cooperation in the durian industry, shifting from rapid expansion to a strategic partnership centered on quality, sustainability, and higher-value-added products.

According to Cai Jianfei, Viet Nam enjoys significant advantages in its production base, favorable growing conditions, and increasingly sophisticated post-harvest handling and processing capabilities. China, meanwhile, is the world's largest durian market, with demand continuing to rise for products that meet higher standards of quality, branding, and traceability. These complementary strengths create substantial opportunities for deeper cooperation across the entire durian value chain.

The iFresh Asia Fruit and Vegetable Industry Expo representative also noted that the phase of extensive growth in the Viet Nam-China durian trade is gradually coming to an end. The next stage will be defined by competition based on quality, standards, branding, and supply chain transparency. In particular, the nationwide rollout of Viet Nam's durian traceability system on July 1, 2026, marks an important milestone in the management of production unit codes, quality control, and the transparency of the country's durian export supply chain.

According to industry experts, beyond price competitiveness and supply capacity, Chinese importers are placing increasing emphasis on the level of standardization at processing facilities, the transparency of raw material management, and exporters' ability to consistently maintain product quality. In this context, developing modern, integrated production, processing, and export value chains, supported by digital technologies and robust traceability systems, will be essential to sustaining the growth of Viet Nam's durian industry, enhancing product value, and strengthening its position in international markets.