W40: Durian Update

In W40 in the durian landscape, the Laojie Port in Lao Cai Province has seen a substantial increase in the volume and value of Vietnamese durian exports in 2023. In Vietnam, 50 to 80 loaded durian trucks, each worth nearly USD 81.8 thousand (VND 2 billion), were exported to China from the No. 2 Land International Port of Cam Thanh. This value is four to five times higher than traditional fruits. Vietnamese exporters must meet strict requirements to reduce risks related to food hygiene and safety, pesticide residues, packaging specifications, traceability, and planting area codes. Lao Cai Province is trying to facilitate durian exports to China by offering "green channel" services and simplifying procedures. Previously, a fruit truck needed four to five phytosanitary documents, but now, only one is required. The quarantine time for goods has been shortened while ensuring sufficient procedures to minimize risks after customs clearance. Since the start of 2023, approximately 52 thousand tons of Vietnamese durian have been exported through Jincheng Port in China, with a total export value of nearly USD 200 million.

Moreover, the durian prices in primary regions of Vietnam remained stable, with Ri6 durian at USD 2.41 per kilogram (VND 59,000/kg) and Thai durian at USD 3.07/kg (VND 75,000/kg). Beautiful Thai durian prices stood between USD 3.27 to 3.52/kg (VND 80,000 to 86,000/kg, while Ri6 durian was at USD 2.25 to 2.41/kg (VND 55,000 to 59,000/kg). Meanwhile, durian prices in the Southeast region were at USD 2.25 to 2.37/kg (VND 55,000 to 58,000/kg), while prices in the Central Highlands region were at USD 2.25 to 2.37/kg (VND 55,000 to 58,000/kg). Durian prices may vary depending on the transport route or shipping area.

Malaysia is awaiting approval from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to import fresh durians, to increase the fresh durian export volume in 2024. Malaysia can only export quick-frozen durians to China, while Thailand and Vietnam have allowed fresh durian fruits. Malaysia aims to expand the Chinese market by exporting fresh durian fruits, particularly the Musang King variety, which accounts for nearly half of the Malaysian durians exported. So far, in 2023, Malaysia exported 26.4 thousand metric tons (mt) of frozen durians, primarily to six countries and regions: Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, the United States, and Canada.

On the other hand, the Philippine Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC) is planning on exporting of 50 thousand mt of durian to China due to production capacity. The local durian production reached 78.8 thousand mt in 2020 from 1.3 million trees. The Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-Davao) and DIADC have dispatched 28 mt of durian to China on April 6 as part of a USD 2 billion fruit export deal on Jan-23. As of Sep-23, almost 5 thousand mt of durian were exported from thePhilippines, to countries like Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the United States (US), South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).