Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), said durian alone is expected to contribute about US$4 billion this year, remaining the country’s highest-value fruit export.

By the end of October 2025, durian export turnover had already exceeded US$3 billion. With shipments continuing in the final months of the year, the US$4 billion target is considered achievable. The result underlines durian’s role as a key growth pillar and shows the sector’s rapid adjustment after earlier warnings related to oxalic acid and cadmium residues.

Following those incidents, regulatory agencies tightened residue controls and raised quality standards, helping exports recover quickly and meet stricter requirements from China, Vietnam’s largest market.

The launch of a national agricultural traceability system, with durian selected as a pilot product group, was described as timely and necessary.
While traceability itself has long been in place, nationwide implementation is expected to enhance transparency, bolster consumer confidence and support quality control.

From June 2026, China is set to enforce Decrees 248 and 249, requiring clearer and more transparent traceability data. Without early preparation, exporters risk falling behind, not only in overseas markets but also in the domestic market, which is increasingly expected to follow similar standards.

After a difficult period in the first quarter and early second quarter of 2025, when exports fell 25-30% year on year, shipments rebounded strongly following timely policy adjustments and the removal of bottlenecks. Industry representatives see this recovery as a valuable lesson in market response for both businesses and management agencies.

Looking ahead to 2026, no major adverse factors are currently anticipated. If the recovery trend is maintained, fruit and vegetable exports is likely to hitUS$9-10 billion, representing growth of around 10-15% compared with 2025. Key markets, including China, the United States and the European Union, have shown positive signals, while exporters have become more familiar with growing-area codes and quality requirements.

Durian exports are expected to exceed US$4 billion in 2026, provided there are no major disruptions from weather or market conditions. Harvest areas and output are expanding by 10-20% annually, supporting stable supply. At the same time, Thailand, a major competitor, has faced flooding in southern regions and higher logistics costs, while Vietnam benefits from geographic proximity to China and more convenient land transport.

Beyond China, exports to the US and the EU recorded growth of 20-30% in 2025. Vietnamese exporters have shown greater adaptability to import regulations, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade has continued to negotiate new protocols with partners in the Middle East and Europe, opening additional channels for durian exports.

The sectors representatives noted that if developed in the right direction, durian could remain a core export while also supporting growth in other fruits such as mango, passion fruit, jackfruit and bananas.

To capitalize on growth opportunities in the coming years, exporters are urged to standardize growing areas and raw material zones, ensure valid area and packing facility codes, and upgrade traceability systems with comprehensive digital records. Market diversification is also seen as essential to reduce reliance on any single destination, while greater investment in processing and storage is expected to ease seasonal pressures.

Both exporters and farmers need to shift from fragmented production toward standardized practices if the US$9-10 billion export target for 2026 is within reach.

Fruit and vegetable exports maintain growth momentum toward US$8.5 billion target

VOV.VN - With consistently high export earnings, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable industry is projected to reach US$8.5 billion in 2025, reinforcing the country’s standing on the global agricultural export map.