In W33 in the durian landscape, China Customs reports that durian imports in China during the first six months of 2023 totaled 787 thousand metric tons (mt) with a value of USD 3.83 billion. This represents a substantial 57.1% year-over-year (YoY) increase in volume and a 64.9% YoY increase in value. As the world's largest importer and consumer of durians, China's imports account for 82% of global consumption. The primary sources of these imported durians are Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Thailand's durian exports to China surged by 365% in the first five months of 2023 due to shorter transit time and advantages under free trade agreements. The China-Laos Railway route reduces transit time to less than 15 hours, providing opportunities for Thai products to enter the Chinese market. Since Dec-21, Thailand's fruit exports to China have significantly increased, with shipments through the Northeast dry port of Nong Khai in 2022 reaching USD 55.6 million (THB 1.96 billion).
Moreover, durian exports from eastern and southern Thailand are projected to reach 1.09 million tons in 2023. The southern region's production contributed significantly with 598.83 thousand tons, of which about 479.07 thousand tons have been exported as of W33, generating sales of around USD 1.88 million. The eastern region achieved a historic milestone, exporting over 650 thousand tons, generating revenue of over USD 2.42 million. Durian farmers in the eastern region earned over USD 1.85 million, based on an average farm price of USD 3.06 per kilogram (kg).
Prices for Thai durian, Ri6 durian, Musangking durian, and Chuong Bo durian have stabilized in Vietnam's Southwest, Southeast, and Central Highlands after a slight decrease on August 17. Specifically, in the Southwest region, the price of Ri6 durian stood at USD 2.29-2.46/kg (VND 55,000-59,000/kg); Musang King durians are still at a stable price of USD 5.42-6.25/kg (VND 130,000-150,000/kg) in the Southeast region; and in the Central Highlands region, Ri6 durian stood at USD 2.29-2.42/kg (VND 55,000-58,000/kg). Vietnamese durian continues to be officially exported to the Chinese market in 2023 Hence, from the start of the 2022/23 season, durian prices in some Central Highlands provinces have increased sharply. Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reports a USD 1.1 billion durian export in the first seven months of 2023. The Vietnamese durian supply is decreasing due to the end of the harvest season, with the Central Highlands of Vietnam gradually becoming the primary source of durian in the local market.
Lastly, the productivity of the Indonesian Monthong variety of durian exhibited strong performance in 2023, with a successful primary season concluding in Jun-23. While a smaller volume remains available from Palu in the Sulawesi region, anticipation is building for the upcoming season in early 2024, which is forecasted to extend until the middle of 2024. Exporters have experienced a growth in export volume and are strategizing to expand packhouse capacity near the production areas. The primary export market for Indonesian durian is Thailand, where the fruit is exported as frozen meat, packaged predominantly in 5 kg units within 20 kg carton boxes.