Vietnam’s Durian Exports Surge as It Wins Larger Share of China Market, Challenging Thailand’s Dominance
Vietnam increases durian exports to China significantly in 2025 while Thailand’s growth stalls, reshaping regional fruit trade dynamics
Vietnam has significantly increased its durian exports to China in 2025, capturing a larger share of the lucrative market as Thailand’s growth in the sector plateaus.
According to recently released customs data, Vietnamese durian shipments to China rose by around five hundred million US dollars last year, bringing the total export value to approximately three point forty-four billion dollars, up from about two point ninety-four billion dollars the previous year.
This represents a meaningful expansion for Vietnam in a market where more than ninety per cent of global durian exports are consumed.
Thailand, long the dominant supplier of durian to China, saw its shipments remain broadly flat over the same period, with export value to the Chinese market holding at just under four billion US dollars.
As a result, Vietnam is rapidly closing the gap in market share, leveraging improvements in quality standards, successful cooperation with Chinese phytosanitary authorities to resolve earlier import restrictions, and geographic advantages including proximity and established cross-border logistics infrastructure.
Analysts have noted that Vietnam’s enhanced supply chain efficiency, combined with ongoing dialogue with Chinese officials and buyer visits aimed at quality enhancement, has helped raise confidence among importers.
Vietnam’s success reflects broader trends in agricultural trade within Southeast Asia, where producers have increasingly diversified export markets and intensified efforts to meet stringent quality and safety standards.
Vietnamese growers and exporters have also invested in cold storage and improved packaging systems to maintain fruit freshness during transit.
Meanwhile, Thailand continues to explore strategies to bolster its durian industry and counter competitive pressures, including efforts to stabilise pricing and revamp logistics ahead of peak harvest seasons.
The evolving balance of durian trade underscores how regional competition and shifting market dynamics are reshaping one of Southeast Asia’s most valuable agricultural exports.
With demand in China remaining robust, both Vietnam and Thailand are likely to remain central players in the durian trade, even as new entrants from neighbouring countries begin to gain access to the Chinese market.
According to recently released customs data, Vietnamese durian shipments to China rose by around five hundred million US dollars last year, bringing the total export value to approximately three point forty-four billion dollars, up from about two point ninety-four billion dollars the previous year.
This represents a meaningful expansion for Vietnam in a market where more than ninety per cent of global durian exports are consumed.
Thailand, long the dominant supplier of durian to China, saw its shipments remain broadly flat over the same period, with export value to the Chinese market holding at just under four billion US dollars.
As a result, Vietnam is rapidly closing the gap in market share, leveraging improvements in quality standards, successful cooperation with Chinese phytosanitary authorities to resolve earlier import restrictions, and geographic advantages including proximity and established cross-border logistics infrastructure.
Analysts have noted that Vietnam’s enhanced supply chain efficiency, combined with ongoing dialogue with Chinese officials and buyer visits aimed at quality enhancement, has helped raise confidence among importers.
Vietnam’s success reflects broader trends in agricultural trade within Southeast Asia, where producers have increasingly diversified export markets and intensified efforts to meet stringent quality and safety standards.
Vietnamese growers and exporters have also invested in cold storage and improved packaging systems to maintain fruit freshness during transit.
Meanwhile, Thailand continues to explore strategies to bolster its durian industry and counter competitive pressures, including efforts to stabilise pricing and revamp logistics ahead of peak harvest seasons.
The evolving balance of durian trade underscores how regional competition and shifting market dynamics are reshaping one of Southeast Asia’s most valuable agricultural exports.
With demand in China remaining robust, both Vietnam and Thailand are likely to remain central players in the durian trade, even as new entrants from neighbouring countries begin to gain access to the Chinese market.
