Vietnam's frozen durian exports to China could reach $300M in 2024: official

At an online conference to popularize frozen durian export regulations on Thursday, Dat said the product could be exported by land, air, and sea.

Although frozen durian products boast huge export potential, enterprises will face challenges regarding food safety requirements, packaging, origin traceability, and process to control food safety and hygiene, he said, stressing they need to improve their freezing technology, product quality, traceability system, as well as that to control the production process of frozen durian.

Vietnam’s frozen durian products allowed to be exported to China include whole durian, mashed durian, and durian flesh.

Durian is frozen at the temperature of -35 degrees Celsius or lower for at least one hour until the core temperature reaches -18 degrees or lower, which is maintained throughout the storage and transport process in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods.

Last year, China spent some $6.7 billion importing fresh durian, and $1 billion purchasing frozen durian from Thailand and Malaysia.

Vietnam now has around 150,000 hectares of durian, harvesting the tropical fruit all year round. Furthermore, it holds competitive edge over its regional rivals regarding logistic costs.

The country’s durian export this year may surpass $3 billion.