Since the beginning of 2024, China has decreased its imports of Thai durian while significantly increasing purchases from Vietnam. In September alone, the country spent over VND 16 trillion ($641 million) on Vietnamese durian, dubbed the "King of Fruits."

According to data from China's customs authorities, the country imported 228,000 tons of durian in September, valued at nearly $894.6 million, a sharp increase of 58.4% in volume and 39% in value compared to the same period in 2023.

From January to September 2024, China spent $6.2 billion importing approximately 1.38 million tons of durian, up 11.2% in volume and 5.6% in value compared to the same period last year.

However, the average import price of durian in the first nine months of 2024 dropped 5% year-on-year to $4,497 per ton. Prices varied by source, with Thai durian at $4,947 per ton, Vietnamese durian at $3,962 per ton, and Philippine durian at only $2,628 per ton.

Vietnam leads in September imports

In September, Vietnam once again became the largest durian supplier to China, accounting for 71.6% of the total import value. China imported 177,000 tons of durian from Vietnam in just one month, worth nearly $641 million, a staggering increase of 90% in volume and 71.5% in value compared to September last year.

Over the first nine months of 2024, China imported nearly 618,000 tons of durian from Vietnam, an increase of 72.2% year-on-year. This brought Vietnam’s durian export revenue from China to $2.45 billion, up 57.3% compared to the same period in 2023.

Conversely, China reduced its imports from Thailand. Despite this, Thailand remained China’s largest durian supplier in the first nine months of 2024, with nearly 755,000 tons worth approximately $3.73 billion, down 14.1% in volume and 13.3% in value year-on-year.

In the first nine months of 2024, Thailand accounted for 60.2% of China's total durian imports, followed by Vietnam at 39.5%. Malaysia and the Philippines, which have official export approval, held a modest share of just 0.3%.

Vietnam gains seasonal advantage

Speaking to VietNamNet, the CEO of a durian export company noted that Vietnam often overtakes Thailand as China's largest durian supplier during the late and early months of the year. This is because, during this time, Vietnam is the primary country harvesting durian, while Thailand’s main durian season falls in mid-year.

From October to February, Vietnam essentially holds a near-monopoly on exporting fresh durian to China, the CEO explained.

In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, a hub for durian production, prices for premium-grade Monthong durian range from VND 180,000 to 200,000 per kilogram, while Ri6 durian costs between VND 135,000 and 150,000 per kilogram—double the price during the peak harvest season.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, acknowledged Vietnam’s dominance in the global durian market, driving up prices. At times, traders are willing to purchase Grade A Monthong durian at VND 200,000 per kilogram and Ri6 at VND 150,000 per kilogram to meet container shipment demands for pre-signed contracts.

Nguyen also predicted that with the current export momentum, Vietnam could surpass Thailand within 1–2 years to become China’s largest durian exporter.

Durian prices are expected to rise further due to limited supply and consistently high market demand.

Tam An