Thai durian growers feel threatened as Vietnam debuts on the Chinese market

Thai growers who had a virtual monopoly on exporting fresh durians to China are now concerned about Vietnam's entry into this market. They fear that proximity to the Asian giant will bring a number of benefits to Vietnamese exporters. When the first batch of fresh durian from Vietnam was exported to China in September, Thai durian grower Busaba Nakpipat said she was concerned about increased competition in a market dominated by Thailand for decades: "Thailand used to be the only country to export fresh durian. was allowed to export to China, while Vietnam exported processed durian. But now Vietnam is our competitor and that worries me." During a trip to Vietnam in September, she saw an increasing number of durian orchards and found that the country has great potential to further expand the cultivation of the special fruit. Vietnam has been exporting ...