According to Huynh Tan Dat, Director General of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, a total of 24 laboratories nationwide have been recognized by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), with a combined capacity of about 3,200 samples per day, sufficient to meet actual demand. Since mid-October, several facilities had to halt operations for maintenance, equipment repairs, or reassessment, slowing the testing of cadmium and Auramine O-mandatory indicators required for export certification.

On October 24, the ministry convened an emergency meeting, directing relevant units to review capacity and ensure testing consistency with Chinese standards. Within a week of intensive efforts, testing activities stabilized, keeping export schedules and customs clearance on track.

Durian exports at major border gates are now running smoothly, with a daily flow of 300–400 trucks, including 200-250 through Lang Son, 100-150 through Lao Cai, and around 50 through Mong Cai. As the harvest season enters its final stage, output is tapering off, and purchasing and export activities are proceeding normally.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment affirmed that it will continue to work closely with Chinese authorities to address technical bottlenecks, mobilize all qualified testing units to process backlogged samples, and maintain uninterrupted export operations.

Dak Lak province, in the Central Highlands -the country’s largest durian-growing area with nearly 45,000 hectares, including more than 26,000 hectares under harvest, output in 2025 is expected to reach 390,000 tons, up 30,000 tons from 2024.

Dang Thi Thuy, Deputy Director of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, said harvesting has largely concluded, with only about 10% of the crop (30,000–40,000 tons) remaining. Farm-gate prices are currently VND 60,000–70,000 per kilogram, slightly lower than last year but still yielding strong profits for growers.

Le Anh Trung, Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, said the prompt response from the ministry helped laboratories resume operations quickly, with many working overnight to deliver results. “The backlog has been mostly cleared, the market is stabilizing, and businesses are confident about completing final-season exports,” he said.

At the end of November 2025, the Dak Lak People’s Committee, in coordination with the Durian Association and related agencies, plans to hold a conference to discuss sustainable durian production and consumption chains for 2026, aiming to stabilize output and enhance the value and reputation of local produce.

Vietnam’s durian exports rebound strongly

With the concerted efforts of localities, businesses, and farmers, Vietnam’s durian exports have gradually recovered since May 2025, regaining strong growth momentum.

Vietnam’s frozen durian exports triple in H1

Vietnam’s frozen durian exports surged threefold in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reaching over 14,280 tonnes across 388 shipments, according to the Plant Protection and Production Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.