Consumers warned about cheap ‘rescue’ durians rejected by China

Last month, China tightened its import standards, which include a newly added testing for auramine O, or basic yellow 2, a potentially carcinogenic chemical. The sudden change left many Vietnamese businesses unable to adapt quickly, resulting in shipments being returned or delayed at the border.

Some traders have been selling these durians domestically at reduced prices, as low as VND40,000 (US$1.59) per kilogram. There were public calls to help out exporters who were selling their returned durians at distress prices.

Since then, many sellers, both on the streets and online marketplaces, have been peddling the fruit at low prices while promoting them as "rescue durian."

But experts in the industry are advising consumers to be cautious of the cheap fruit.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, noted that some shipments were turned away for failing to meet quality standards.

Nguyen Van Muoi, the association’s deputy general secretary, told Thanh Nien newspaper: "Durians rejected for not meeting export quality standards can pose risks [for consumers] if sold in the domestic market."

The association noted that in Thailand, another large durian supplier for China, returned shipments are disposed of under authorities’ supervision to prevent local consumption.

It had urged Vietnamese businesses to do the same, but some still tried to sell their wares using the "rescue durian" trend to recoup their losses.

Commenting on the "rescue durian" trend, Bui Manh Toan, CEO of agricultural exporter Vietnox Agri, told Khoa Hoc & Doi Song that consumers should be wise and choose products based on quality as online sellers may employ numerous marketing strategies to attract buyers.

Several exporters have since obtained certification from Vietnam’s nine China-recognized auramine O testing centers, allowing around 1,000 tons of durians to enter China earlier this month. Others are still working to resume shipments.

In 2024, Vietnam’s durian exports reached a record high of $3.3 billion, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total fruit and vegetable export value. China remains the key market.

The country aims to increase durian exports to US$3.5 billion in 2025, contributing to its goal of reaching $10 billion in total fruit and vegetable export value in the near future.