Exporters urged to boost durian shipments to China after Vietnam takes top spot

According to the Vietnamese newspaper Dan Viet, Vietnam's market share in the Chinese durian market in January and February increased to 57% compared with 32% last year.

"China imported 53,110 tons of durians worth US$283.6 million (10.41 billion baht) in the first two months of this year," the report said. It added that Thailand had become the No 2 durian exporter in China with 19,016 tons worth $120.3 million (4.41 billion baht).

Dan Viet went on to say that Vietnam can harvest the king of fruits throughout the year, especially the season when Thai durians are not ready for harvest.

It said Vietnam's durian price is US$4.916 (180.75 baht) per tonne, which is cheaper than Thailand's $6.133 (225.21 baht) per tonne. Vietnam is close to China, so exports can be conducted quickly, the report noted.

This news report is in line with the Thai Department of International Trade Promotion's report in December last year that Vietnam became the main durian exporter in China instead of Thailand in September.

The department said China imported 120,000 tons of durians in October last year, up 100,000 tons year on year. However, it claimed that China had increased imports from Vietnam and reduced imports from Thailand.

"Vietnam exported 452,000 tons of durians worth $1.94 billion (71.26 billion baht) to China in the first 10 months of last year," the department explained, citing a report by a Vietnamese online newspaper.

The department noted that Vietnam has been allowed to export only fresh durians to China, while Thailand has been allowed to export fresh, frozen and processed durians.

"If China allows Vietnam to export frozen durians, its export volume will increase further," the department warned.

The department also urged durian exporters and government agencies to seek ways to boost exports and maintain the market share in China.