Though China began opening its door for Vietnam’s frozen durians in August 2024, the expected surge in export value has not come to fruition.

As per the regulations, frozen durians for export include durians (with skin), mashed durians (without skin), and durian flesh.

The export price of first-grade frozen durians is around VND170,000 - VND180,000 (US$6.7 - $7.1) per kilogram, while lower-grade durians are priced between VND140,000 - VND150,000 ($5.5 - $5.9) per kilogram.

Each container truck containing frozen durians is worth up to VND8 billion ($314,000), three to four times higher than fresh durians.

Ngo Tuong Vy, deputy director of Chanh Thu Export and Import Fruit Company in Ben Tre Province, southern Vietnam, said that her company had yet to export frozen durians to China this year.

As one of the first five companies officially exporting durians to China, the firm has not yet signed any contracts for frozen durian exports to Vietnam’s northern neighbor.

“Fresh durian is currently out of season, and prices are very high. If we were to export frozen durians this year, it would coincide with the peak season, meaning the profit margin wouldn't be as favorable,” Vy said.

Meanwhile, Bui Phu Ton, director of Nghiep Xuan Import-Export Company, based in Dak Nong Province in the Central Highlands region, stated that while his company has experience in exporting frozen durians, it is currently active only in Thailand.

In 2024, the firm shipped a large volume of frozen durians in dozens of container trucks to Thailand, at an average price of VND150,000 per kilogram. 

However, for the Chinese market, the company has not yet received the necessary export certification.

Nguyen Van Nam, a trader in Hanoi, pointed out that even Vietnamese companies with export licenses and available products cannot proceed with exports immediately.

He listed several hurdles, including the requirement for the temperature of the container trucks to store frozen durians. 

The internal temperature must be maintained at minus 18 degrees Celsius or lower throughout storage and transport. 

However, when the product is transferred from Vietnamese container trucks to Chinese ones, the temperature is often not guaranteed, leading to issues related to product quality.

Additionally, since January 2025, China has mandated that imported durians must provide certification for Auramine O, alongside existing cadmium residue tests, challenging Vietnamese exporters.

“Frozen durians from Vietnam must comply with the same regulations as fresh durians.

“Companies are currently exploring solutions to control residual levels of cadmium and Auramine O to ensure shipments meet the standards before contracts are signed. As a result, the shipment of frozen durians to China is slower than anticipated,” Nam added.

According to the leadership of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, local authorities have completed the necessary paperwork with China, but the issue remains that the businesses have not reached agreements on durian exports.

“If local exporters face obstacles over regulatory procedures, they can directly contact the department, and we will help resolve it,” emphasized the representative. 

The department also announced plans to hold training courses and offer guidance to exporters to support businesses and farmers in the export process.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, president of the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, said that Vietnam's frozen durians can only gain a foothold in China once agreements are reached between companies in both countries.

“Local exporters may have already met the relevant standards regarding food safety and plant quarantine as required by China. However, the delay may stem from the fact that the companies have not yet finalized the contracts,” Binh explained.

He further noted that for successful frozen durian exports, businesses must ensure proper packaging facilities, designated durian growing areas, freezing capacities, and storage and food safety requirements that comply with Chinese regulations, particularly for durians from registered and monitored growing areas in Vietnam.

The association also advised companies to stay updated on new regulations and well prepare for contracts to avoid the risk of shipments being rejected.

Each container truck containing frozen Vietnamese durians is worth up to VND8 billion ($314,000), three to four times higher than fresh durians. Photo: Phu Ton / Tuoi Tre

Ambitious goal for durian exports

According to the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, Vietnam aims to reach an fruit and vegetable export value of $8 billion in 2025, with both fresh and frozen durian being the main driver.

Each year, China imports about $7 billion worth of fresh durians, and the figure is expected to surpass $10 billion soon. 

Additionally, the country spends around $1 billion on frozen durians annually. 

As such, Vietnam is set to export $3.5 billion worth of durians to China in 2025.

However, many exporters in Ho Chi Minh City said that China is a big market for durians, so most countries are targeting it. 

Multiple recent market surveys in major supermarkets and shopping centers in China found that Thai fresh durians dominate the market, while Malaysia's frozen durians are prevalent.

One exporter shared that Chinese consumers prefer Malaysia's frozen durians because of their attractive appearance, good quality, and the well-established brand recognition of Malaysian durians in the Chinese market. 

“Vietnamese frozen durians will face fierce competition when reaching Chinese consumers,” the exporter said.

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