Vietnam closes in on 50% of China’s durian market, Thailand faces growing threat: Thai media

Citing a report from HSBC, Thai newspaper The Nation highlighted the possibility that Vietnam could surpass Thailand in durian exports to China within the next few years.

Vietnam achieved this rapid growth in just three years, capturing 40 percent of the market.

Vietnam began formal durian exports to China in 2020 and recorded its export revenue at US$3 billion in 2024.

HSBC noted that Vietnam’s share of the Chinese market skyrocketed to 40 percent from zero percent in just three years.

Amid this rapid expansion, Thai media warned that Vietnam’s growing presence threatens Thailand’s position as the leading durian exporter to China.

Data from China’s customs agency indicated Thailand and Vietnam remain the two dominant suppliers of durians to the Chinese market, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Between January and November, Thailand remained the largest supplier of fresh durians to China, earning $3.9 billion.

However, Thailand’s market share fell to 50.39 percent from 52.04 percent in the same period in 2024.

Meanwhile, China’s durian imports from Vietnam continue to rise.

During the 11-month period last year, Vietnam exported $3.2 billion worth of durians to China, a 22.8-percent year-on-year increase in volume.

Vietnam’s share of fresh durian imports to China also grew to 49.3 percent from 47 percent.

HSBC predicts that competition among ASEAN countries in China’s durian market will intensify.

Malaysia has recently been authorized to export fresh durians to China, while Laos has also gained approval.

Durians from Laos could be more competitively priced due to lower land and labor costs, combined with the railway linking Vientiane to China, reported South China Morning Post.

China consumes over 90 percent of the total durian imports.

Known as the ‘king of fruits,’ durian is highly popular in China, often given as gifts or even wedding presents.

In this market, a durian weighing about six kilograms can sell for up to 200 yuan ($28).