Durian exports reaped over $500 million in the first four months of 2024, a year-on-year rise of 30%, figures from the Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit Association (Vinafruit) showed.

The figure contributed to increase the total revenue of fruit and vegetable exports to more than $1.8 billion during the period, up 32.1% year-on-year.

Exports of durian continued to soar significantly after the signing of the Protocol on durian export between Vietnam and China in July, 2022, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In 2023, exports of this product earned $2.2 billion. Of which, China imported $2.1 billion worth of 493,000 tons of durian, up 1,036% in value and 1,107% in volume compared to 2022.

Vietnamese durians accounted for 34.6% of China’s imports in 2023, a remarkable growth from 5% in 2022.

Total area of durian cultivation in Vietnam reached 151,000 ha as of April, 2024. The total output in 2023 was nearly 1.2 million tons, which is estimated to increase to 1.5 million tons this year.