A 24-ton shipment of frozen durian from Dak Lak Province was cleared for export to China on March 24, the first since Vietnam and China signed a trade protocol for the fruit in August 2024.

The delivery opens a new chapter for Vietnam’s billion-dollar durian industry at a time when fresh durian exports face mounting challenges.

Many Vietnamese exporters are seeking permits to ship frozen durian to China.

Among them is Vina T&T, a major fruit exporter. Its CEO Nguyen Dinh Tung considers frozen durian a major opportunity and is working with Chinese authorities to acquire export licenses for his company’s processing plants.

With Vina T&T having years of experience exporting fruits to the world’s most difficult markets including the U.S., Canada and South Korea, Tung is confident that his company will meet all Chinese quality and safety requirements.

Vietnamese exporters are generally optimistic.

Vu Duc Con, chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, expects frozen durian exports to reach $700 million this year and $1 billion soon.

"This is a pivotal moment for our industry."

Unlike fresh durian, which faces stringent examinations for banned substances, deseeded frozen durian faces minimal regulatory hurdles.

Some businesses in Dak Lak Province, a major durian growing area, have tested and confirmed that frozen durian is free from toxic chemicals.

Even fruits that are small or less visually appealing can be exported in frozen form, which helps prices remain steady and reduce pressure on transportation, especially during the harvest season.

The long shelf life of frozen durian of up to one year enables it to reach China’s hinterlands, unlike fresh durian, which is primarily limited to southern Chinese markets near the Vietnamese border.

Freezing the fruit at below minus 45 degrees Celsius eliminates pests, ensuring compliance with China’s technical regulations, Tung said.

To export frozen durian to China, businesses need to register with authorities there as well as furnish a recommendation from Vietnamese agriculture officials.

Over 20 Vietnamese businesses have obtained approval from China, where demand is soaring not only for fresh consumption but also for use in snacks, ice cream and even hotpots.

China’s annual durian consumption is around 1.5 million tons, far outstripping domestic production.

While China has begun growing the fruit in Hainan, with 2,700 hectares under cultivation, the output remains negligible.

Last year the country imported 1.56 million tons for nearly $7 billion, up 9.4% in volume and 4% in value from 2023, according to Chinese customs data.

Vietnam enjoyed a 42% market share, with exports surging by 38% to $3 billion.

Thailand, its biggest supplier, shipped fruits worth over $4 billion but saw a 12.1% decline.

Malaysia and the Philippines trailed Vietnam with $5.7 million and $32.5 million worth of exports.

Thailand and Malaysia are now the biggest suppliers of frozen durian to China, with their annual exports topping $1 billion.

Source: VnExpress