Durian exports witness steep rise over five-month period
VOV.VN - Vietnamese durian exports reached US$503.4 million during the opening five months of the year, representing an 18-fold rise compared to the same period last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
Notably, China is the largest consumer of Vietnamese durian, spending US$477 million on purchasing the fruit in five months.
This impressive level of export growth can be attributed to the signing of a protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
The Vietnamese durian was officially permitted to enter the northern neighbour as from the third quarter of last year, and the fruit brought home nearly US$430 million by the year’s end.
Durian exports are forecast to enjoy robust growth with turnover set to hit US$1 billion this year as China has granted approval to Vietnamese durian growing areas and packaging facility codes in recent times.
Currently, Vietnam boasts 293 farming areas and 115 packaging facilities that have been granted official export codes by China’s customs authorities.
Vietnam has shipped fresh and frozen durians to China, the UK, Australia, and the United States.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association (VinaFruit), the fruit and vegetable industry is anticipated to gross between US$4.2 - 4.5 billion this year, with the bulk of durian export orders going to the Chinese market.
