Frozen durian imports rise 8-fold

Imports reached a record $4.2 million in December, a 35-fold increase from the same month in 2023, according to customs data.

The year-end surge was driven by increased demand ahead of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays, when food companies ramped up production of premium durian cakes and candies.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said Musang King durian trees grow in Vietnam but often have poor yields and fruit quality, causing many farmers to shift away from it.

Durians imported from Malaysia have stable quality and a fragrant, rich flavor favored by the affluent segment, he said.

400-gram boxes of frozen Musang King durians imported from Malaysia are sold in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Farmer Market

Malaysia officially began to export Musang King durian to Vietnam after the two nations signed a protocol in 2023.

A 400-gram box of frozen durian pulp from Malaysia is priced at VND500,000-600,000 (US$19.35-23.21), down nearly 40% from when it first entered Vietnam.

The same variety grown locally is usually sold as whole, fresh fruit at VND150,000-200,000 per kilogram but demand is low due to inconsistent quality.

Musang King was first discovered in the Gua Musang area in Malaysia’s Kelantan state and later became a famous delicacy for its rich, creamy taste and strong aroma.

The fruit typically weighs two to four kilograms and is distinguished by its oval shape, dark green skin with large spikes, visible vertical seams, and a five-point star pattern at the bottom.