Durians, with their notable pungent odour, thrive in Southeast Asia, earning the nickname 'fruit of gold' in Vietnam. Channel News Asia reports that durian cultivation can be highly profitable, with one hectare potentially generating US$70,000 in a good year, compared to the US$6000 from the same area of rice or coffee. This profitability has led to an increase in durian farming, which may affect the coffee industry.
Vietnam, a major exporter of Robusta coffee beans, is seeing a shift in agricultural focus. Robusta, considered a less premium option compared to Arabica, is more resilient to climate challenges. However, the expanding durian market, especially towards China, is drawing farmers away from coffee cultivation. In the last five years, the area dedicated to durian farming in Vietnam has increased by about 25 percent annually, with a significant portion of the produce heading to China. In 2023, Vietnam exported US$2.1 billion worth of durians to China, a drastic increase from the previous year. This surge in demand is attributed to a durian craze in China, where the country accounted for 91 percent of the global demand between 2021 and 2023. The shift towards durian cultivation raises questions about the future of Vietnam's coffee industry and global coffee prices.
[ VND10,000 = € 0.37 ]
Source: asiamediacentre.org.nz