Vietnam earned nearly US$2.8 billion from durian exports in the first nine months of 2025, but import volumes also increased at a rapid pace. While the country's main durian-growing regions are in the middle of peak harvest season, durian import values rose to levels 16 times higher than the same period last year.
According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam recorded nearly US$2.77 billion in durian export earnings from January to September 2025. In September alone, export turnover reached US$972 million, an all-time monthly record and a 44.6 per cent increase compared to September 2024. The export surge coincided with peak harvest season in the Central Highlands, Vietnam's primary durian-producing region.
In the same month, Vietnamese companies spent US$3.7 million on durian imports, a 200 per cent increase from August and 16 times higher than September last year. Over the nine months, durian imports reached US$21.5 million, up 139 per cent year on year. Durian now ranks 12th among imported fruits and nuts by value and is the third fastest-growing item in the category.
A representative from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association told VietNamNet that although Vietnam earns billions from exporting durian, the country continues to import the fruit annually from Malaysia and Thailand to meet domestic consumption. Thailand's durians are typically imported whole via border trade, while Malaysia's Musang King variety is usually imported as frozen pulp.
"The Musang King durian is not widely grown in Vietnam, but consumer demand for it is quite strong," the official said. He added that imported Musang King pulp is priced at a high level in the local market. Even importing a few containers of this product can lead to a sharp rise in total import value, which partly explains why September's import value was 16 times higher than the same month last year.
Source: VietNamNet
