In 2024, China imported durians worth US$6.99 billion, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year, with import volumes reaching 15.6 million tons, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Thailand, although still the leading supplier, saw its share drop to 57% due to quality concerns and reduced production, collecting $4 billion, down 12% year-on-year.
Vietnam emerged as a strong competitor, increasing its shipments by 37.56% to $2.9 billion, capturing 41.5% of the market. Malaysia, having received approval to export fresh durians to China, shipped $5.7 million worth, with its Agriculture and Food Security Minister noting the premium status of Malaysian durians.
The Philippines also expanded its exports, reaching $32.5 million, a 144.4% increase from 2023. As China bolsters its imports, other countries seek entry into the market. Indonesia is working towards gaining approval to export directly to China, potentially reaching a trade value of 128.7 trillion rupiah ($7.88 billion). Laos is preparing market access documents, with its agriculture department indicating upcoming exports.
Lao entrepreneur Tao Jian, cultivating durians in southern Laos, highlighted the region's fertile soil and successful hybrid cultivar development. He suggested Laos could become the world's fourth-largest durian producer. However, suppliers face challenges, such as quality concerns and China's tightened import standards, which now include testing for Basic Yellow 2.
Exporters, especially from Thailand and Vietnam, experienced delays due to these new requirements. In the face of rising demand, Southeast Asian producers remain cautious about potential oversupply risks. Terry Lin from Agrionex noted the current "golden era" for durians in China but warned of a possible shift to a "silver era" due to oversupply concerns.
Source: VNExpress
