Durian Prices Rebound on China Export Surge, Driving Vietnamese Agricultural Exports

Durian prices have rebounded as exports to China increased after customs introduced a new policy to facilitate the trade. Traders are buying grade A (highest quality) Monthong durians from orchards at VND75,000-80,000 (US$2.9-3.1) per kilogram, representing an 8% rise within a week. Prices of grade A Ri6 durian have similarly increased to VND55,000-58,000 per kilogram. Both had been down 20-30% year-on-year earlier this month, with Monthong selling for VND46,000-68,000 and Ri6 for VND28,000-38,000. Trung, a durian trader in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, said traders like him have been ramping up purchases to keep up with a rise in demand. "High-quality durians are snapped up as soon as they are available." A durian harvested in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak. Photo by VnExpress/Phan Hang Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports were estimated at $4.76 billion in the first seven months of the year, up 23% year-on-year. In July, shipments rose by 38% to $1.06 billion. Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said durian accounted for more than half of all exports and were the biggest growth driver. "Vietnamese durians earlier faced intense competition from Thailand. Now that Thailand's harvest season has ended, Vietnam is virtually the only supplier in the market." Exports were also boosted by a new policy implemented last week by the Department of Customs under which agricultural exports are prioritized for same-day clearance at border gates, even outside regular hours and during holidays, he said. He added that the Central Highlands is entering its durian season, which is expected to last until September or October, and exports typically peak around this time of the year.