W38: Durian Update

In W38 in the durian landscape, Vietnam exported over 300 thousand tons of fresh durian in the first eight months of 2023. While frozen durians already have 23 export markets, experts believe there is room for expanding these exports even further. The Department of Plant Protection is actively negotiating to access additional foreign markets, including India, which boasts a consumer base of over one billion people. However, Vietnam must prioritize quality and maintain well-organized production processes to capitalize on these opportunities successfully.

Furthermore, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has highlighted the country's fruit-growing area codes insufficient management, which is crucial for durian exports to China. Vietnam has nearly 7 thousand planting area codes and 1.5 thousand packaging facilities, with a substantial 89% of its fruit production destined for the Chinese market. However, China has issued six notices of violation regarding these growing area codes in the first eight months of 2023, totaling 439 cases reported. The Deputy Minister has issued a warning, emphasizing that unless local authorities take corrective actions, several fruits may risk losing their market access. According to the Plant Protection Department, as of the end of Jul-23, Vietnam had issued 6.8 thousand export growing area codes for 25 different products. Addressing these issues is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the fruit export sector.

Durian prices in the local market in Vietnam remain stable, with Thai durians priced at USD 3.08 to 3.36 per kilogram (VND 75,000-82,000/kg) and Ri6 durians priced from USD 2.26 to 2.42/kg (VND 55,000 to 59,000/kg) in primary areas, and USD 1.85 to 2.13/kg (VND 45,000 to 52,000/kg) in the Southwest region. Thai durian prices remained stable, with beautifully selected durians standing at USD 3.08 to 3.36/kg (VND 75,000 to 82,000/kg) and those bought in buckets at USD 2.67 to 2.87/kg (VND 65,000 to 70,000 VND/kg). Ri6 durian prices in the Southeast region remained stable at USD 2.26 to 2.38/kg (VND 55,000 to 58,000/kg), while Ri6 durian prices remained stable at USD 1.85 to 2.05/kg (VND 45,000 to 50,000/kg). The Ri6 durian prices in the Central Highlands region remained unchanged at USD 2.26 to 2.38/kg (VND 55,000 to 58,000/kg). On September 23, traders purchased durians at various durian gardens located in the Southwest, Southeast, and Central Highlands regions.

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has highlighted supply constraints as a major obstacle for durian growers, limiting their potential in the Chinese market. The 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, China, offered significant business prospects for Philippine products, particularly durian. Undersecretary emphasized the need to address the low productivity of local fruit farmers to meet international market demands. The Philippines is China's largest banana supplier, while Thailand and Vietnam dominate China's durian market.