According to the former director of the Dong Thap Provincial Centre for Agriculture Promotion, Nguyen Phuoc Tuyen, statistics from the China Customs General Department showed that Vietnam was currently the top durian exporter to the country.
China imported 53,110 tonnes of fresh durian worth USD283.60 million in the first two months of this year. Vietnam exported 32,750 tonnes to the country during this period, earning USD161 million; while Thailand exported 19,016 tonnes valued at USD 120.30 million.
The figures showed that Vietnamese durian accounted for 57 percent of China’s imports, up from 32 percent of last year. Meanwhile, Thailand saw its exports plunge by over a half in volume and 45.20 percent in value compared to the same period last year.
However, despite recent price hikes, Vietnamese durian prices were almost 20 percent lower than Thailand’s.
In March the prices of the highest quality Monthong variety in the Mekong Delta region reached between VND218,000-230,000 per kilo.
Vietnam’s durian exports are expected to earn USD3.50 billion this year, up 66 percent from last year.
