Durian emerging as 'golden fruit' among Vietnam's exports
Vietnam is striving to further assert its durian export position and join the billion-dollar export industry with the current advantages in hand, coupled with efforts to better the fruit quality. The country is working hard to tap the potential and expand global reach for the sector.
Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) show that Vietnam has more than 110,000 ha of durian with a yearly output of nearly 850,000 tonnes. The country’s major durian-growing areas include the Central Highlands with more than 52,000 ha, accounting for about 47% of the total area, the Mekong Delta region with 33,000 ha (about 30%), and the Southeast region with 21,000 ha (about 19%).
Thanks to the advantage of high selling prices and the preference of import markets, Vietnamese durian has risen to a much higher position compared to other crops such as pepper, dragon fruit, and rubber. In the last five years, the durian growing area increased by nearly 25% yearly.
According to Do Ha Nam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Intimex Group, crops such as coffee and pepper yield profits ranging from VND200 - VND300 million (US$8,100 – US$12,150) per hectare/year, while durian trees generate yearly profits of VND2 billion per hectare.
