Vietnam’s exports of durians in 2024 fetched $3.3 billion, accounting for 46% of the total export value of fruits and vegetable, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

This success is largely attributed to strong demand from China, where durian is considered a luxury fruit and a creative culinary ingredient. Durian shipment to China valued at  $3.2 billion, equal to 97% of the total.

However, Vietnamese durians face difficulties in entering the Chinese market due to China's new inspection regulations for durian imports.

China has tightened inspection of Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) residues in durian batches imported to China from other countries, including Vietnam, with 90% of its durians exported to China.

The inspection regulation was issued after the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) reported the detection of Basic Yellow 2 (BY2), a substance classified by the WHO as a Group 2B carcinogen, in durians imported from Thailand.

That move left Vietnam's export durian batches being returned or waiting for customs clearance for lengthy periods at the border gates.

Vietnam has set a target of gaining $3.5 billion from durian export in 2025.