Vietnam is currently the world’s second-largest producer and exporter of durian, after Thailand. Over less than a decade, the country’s durian industry has expanded rapidly in both acreage and output, growing from 32,000 hectares in 2015 to nearly 180,000 hectares by 2024 , almost a sixfold increase.
With production surpassing 1.5 million tonnes in 2024, durian has become one of the fastest-growing fruits in Vietnam. Export revenue from durian also exceeded USD 3.2 billion in 2024.
However, in the first four months of 2025, the domestic durian sector faced a sharp decline in both volume and export value, reaching only USD 130 million, significantly lower than the USD 500 million recorded in the same period last year.
Durian prices have also fallen steeply compared to the same period in 2024. Popular varieties such as Monthong and Ri6 are now selling at between VND 35,000 and 80,000 per kilogram, depending on the quality. The decline is largely attributed to stricter import checks by Chinese customs authorities, especially regarding cadmium and the chemical dye auramine O.
In contrast to the slump in exports, durian imports into Vietnam have surged.
According to preliminary data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, durian imports reached nearly USD 9.3 million in the first four months of 2025, marking a 518 per cent increase year on year.
The CEO of a Vietnamese fruit export company explained that most imported durians come from Malaysia and Thailand and include varieties that are not widely cultivated or are in limited supply in Vietnam.
"Another reason for the spike in imports is seasonal," the CEO said. "Vietnam’s main durian harvest typically starts later, from April to September, while consumer demand remains high during the Lunar New Year and other festive periods. As a result, import volumes have risen to meet market demand."