After losing his orchard to a storm, a Vietnamese farmer rebuilds and thrives with premium durian.

Vietnam has earned nearly $2.8 billion from durian exports in the first nine months of 2025, but imports have also jumped dramatically.

Prior to that, authorities and industry associations had repeatedly issued “urgent warnings” about fraud involving plantation codes and quality testing certificates for durian.

Authorities indict 17 individuals for fraud and bribery tied to illegal durian exports to China, raising alarms about risks to Vietnam's fruit trade.

Despite a series of disruptions, Vietnam’s durian industry has earned over $3.2 billion in export revenue within the first 10 months of 2025. The total annual value is projected to hit an all-time high.

A temporary shutdown of testing labs delayed the clearance of nearly 2,000 durian containers from Dak Lak. Authorities confirm the situation is now under control and exports continue smoothly.

After an early stumble at the beginning of the year when several shipments were returned for violating China's import regulations, experts have predicted something unprecedented for Vietnamese durians this September.

China has enforced new food safety regulations, rejecting Thai longans and warning Vietnam over residue levels in fruit exports.

With advanced farming techniques and strict export compliance, Vietnam is positioning itself as a top durian exporter.

Vietnam showcased durian and related products at the first-ever ASEAN–China Durian Festival held in Beijing on August 9 by the ASEAN–China Centre (ACC) and the embassies of ASEAN member states.

For the first time, Vietnam establishes a dedicated food safety protocol for durian, covering every stage from farm to export.

Durian exports have rebounded vibrantly, with an estimated revenue of over $1 billion in the first 7 months. The product has also received positive feedback from Chinese customs authorities, who committed to facilitating smoother exports.

Durian exports are making a strong recovery, with total revenue projected to reach US$2.4 billion in 2025.

Durian, the ‘King of Fruit’, which has been very expensive in Vietnam in recent years, has become cheaper than ever. Hanoians can now enjoy durian at surprisingly low prices.

The significant increase in frozen durian exports is attributed in part to favourable market-opening policies, particularly the export protocol signed with China in August 2024.

Despite high output, Vietnam’s durian exports dip while imports from Thailand and Malaysia surge.

Excessive use of fertilizers in durian cultivation has been identified as a major cause of cadmium residue in exported fruit, according to Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection.

Durian shipments rejected by China prompt calls to probe Korean fertilizer cadmium levels.

Following China's detection of cadmium and auramine O in Vietnamese durians, Dak Lak seeks urgent government support for localized testing and oversight.