Last month, exports of the fruit to China, the world’s largest durian consumer, were slashed by the market’s new auramine O testing requirement. As a result, farm-gate prices of Ri 6 durians in the Mekong Delta plunged to VND47,000-62,000 per kilogram, while the Monthong variety fell to VND80,000-100,000.

As farmers in the region’s Can Tho City prepare their trees for the upcoming main harvest in April, they cannot help but fear prices could fall further.

"The off-season [Ri 6] price is already so low, we fear it could drop to just VND30,000 per kilogram, or even VND25,000," one farmer told Lao Dong newspaper.

Around this time last year, Ri 6 were selling for VND120,000-126,000 per kilogram and Monthong for VND175,000-200,000.

China on Jan. 10 began requiring certification proving shipments are free of auramine O, or basic yellow 2, a potentially carcinogenic chemical.

It has also been inspecting all durian shipments from Vietnam, delaying customs clearance and heightening the risk of spoilage. A number of shipments have also been rejected.

As a result, exports to that market from January to mid-February declined by 80% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Some exporters have secured certification from Vietnam’s nine China-recognized auramine O testing centers, clearing the way for about 1,000 tons of durians to reach China in February. Meanwhile, others are still striving to resume exports.

The situation is partly attributed to rushed expansion of durian cultivation, unscientific farming practices, and shortcomings in fruit preservation, according to Quan Doi Nhan Dan newspaper.

Vietnam currently has around 169,000 hectares of durian plantations, more than twice the 65,000–75,000 hectares originally planned for 2030.

Over reliance on a single market also makes the industry vulnerable, especially when said market implements technical barriers that lead to bottlenecks.

Durian exports reached a record high of $3.3 billion last year, a 50% increase from 2023, with 97% of them going to China.

This year's target is set at $3.5 billion for durian exports, with the broader fruit and vegetable exports projected to reach $8 billion.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, cautioned that achieving this goal could be challenging if inspection hurdles are not addressed swiftly.

To sustain growth, the Ministry of Industry and Trade's import-export department advises farmers, cooperatives, and businesses to collaborate in improving quality and enhancing the presence of Vietnamese brands in the global market.

Le Thanh Tung, vice chairman of the Vietnam Gardening Association, said price fluctuations are a natural part of the market.

He advised farmers to keep costs low where possible and expand wisely rather than simply chasing higher yields.

"We should actively respond [to market changes] instead of just waiting for things to change," he said.

Fruit exports slump as durian shipments face stricter quality requirements

Source: VnExpress