Krong Pak District in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak is stepping up efforts to export the first batch of frozen durians to China this year, an official said at a press briefing on Thursday.

Speaking at the press conference to announce the launch of the second durian festival slated for August 31 to September 2, Nguyen Van Ha, deputy head of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the province is waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the shipment of frozen durians to China.

China is a large import market for farm produce in general and durians in particular, said Ha.

A protocol on fresh durian export signed between Vietnam and China last year smoothed the path for Vietnamese durians’ entry into the northern neighbor.

As part of the recent state visit by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, the two nations signed an additional protocol on frozen durian export.

“The provincial department has worked with some firms to prepare for investing in refrigerated warehouses that must meet all standards required by Chinese partners to get ready for the export of frozen durians, which have higher value than fresh fruits,” Ha said.

Ngo Thi Minh Trinh, vice-chairwoman of the Krong Pak District People’s Committee, underlined that after the signing of the protocol, the district quickly worked with relevant agencies and the provincial administration to learn about the steps of shipping frozen durians to China.

“The district is waiting for instructions to make frozen durian shipments to China during the upcoming festival,” Trinh said.

In 2023, Vietnam exported some 500,000 metric tons of durians worth US$2.3 billion to foreign markets, with 90 percent of them shipped to China.

The export value of frozen durians is expected to reach $400-500 million in 2024.

Speaking of the festival, Trinh said that this year’s event would feature a series of activities, with the appearance of a fabric dragon with a length of 120 meters being the highlight.

The district has registered to set a record for the dragon as the longest of its kind in Vietnam.

As many as 63 young men from 49 ethnic minority groups in the province will control the dragon during a parade on local streets, as part of the fest.

A seminar on durians will be held within the framework of the upcoming festival, covering an auction of three unique gold-plated durians.

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