Durian exports continue recovery, fetch $1.2B in first 7 months

By Thi Ha September 7, 2025 | 02:53 pm PT

Vietnam’s durian exports were worth US$1.2 billion in the first seven months, driven by a strong recovery in July, but they remained 25% lower year-on-year.

Mainland China remained the overwhelmingly main buyer, accounting for 87% of the exports, according to Vietnam’s customs department.

Other markets that saw double-digit growth were Hong Kong, Taiwan, the U.S., and Japan.

Exporters said the first half of the year was challenging due to clearance delays at the border as Chinese customers ramped up quality control.

But the situation has improved, with even companies unable to export earlier this year shipping their first batches in recent months.

An opened durian. Photo by Pixabay/najibzamri

Exporters and farmers have made stronger efforts to prevent cadmium residues in their fruits, which previously led to rejection in China and long queues for testing.

Many exporters now require farmers and traders to test the quality of their durian before selling, which has improved the clearance rate.

In July exports surged 35% from the previous month to $379 million.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, forecast exports to rise to $550 million a month in September and October as the harvest season peaks.

But he warned that prices are unlikely to return to the peak levels of 2023-2024 due to the abundant supply from competitors such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos, who are all seeking a bigger share of the China market.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association expects agricultural exports to top $7 billion this year, approaching the record $7.2 billion achieved last year.