Durian and coconut exports could hit $1 billion this year

According to Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post, "China's Vietnamese durian imports seen pushing total demand for fruit to nearly 1 million tonnes a year," durian has quickly become China's most popular imported fruit, and cities bordering Vietnam are stepping up logistics to ensure fresh supplies can reach any Chinese city in one to three days. The paper also noted that Thailand has dominated China's durian industry for years, and other Southeast Asian countries are profiting.

293 planting sites and 115 packing units in Vietnam have received export codes since Beijing opened its doors to fresh durian from Vietnam last September.

The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT) General Secretary Dang Phuc Nguyen remarked that China's law giving to Vietnamese farmers and packagers is very favorable for Vietnamese durian to enter China.

According to Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper, Vietnamese durian can compete with Thailand's harvest-time durian, which costs 55,000-70,000 VND (2.34-2.98 USD) per kilo.  

In the last three months of 2022, Vietnam exported 40,800 tonnes of durian to China, earning 188 million USD.

Vietnamese durian's success in the world's second-largest economy is due to Thai durian's high cost and limited harvest times.

With extended harvest dates, lower pricing, shorter transport distances, and superb taste, Vietnamese durian has overcome such obstacles.

With such advantages, durian exports are projected to surpass 1 billion USD this year, the first year the fruit enters the Chinese market via the official channel, Nguyen said.

Officially, Vietnam and China are negotiating for Vietnamese coconut to enter China.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam has 188,000 acres of coconut and produced 1.9 million tonnes last year. Coconut and associated products brought home around 900 USD last year.

Nguyen said the coconut business might join the "one-million-USD" club soon, especially if it can sell to China through a legitimate channel.

New types of "tourism coconut" are increasing production, while demand for processed (dry) coconut is rising worldwide.

GC Food Joint Stock Company chairman Nguyen Van Thu said the company plans to increase export coconut jelly production in two years.

Thu added that as people choose natural, healthy products, coconut has great growth potential.

Source: VNA