VOV.VN - Durian emerged as Vietnam’s top fruit export with turnover reaching over US$1.3 billion in the first half of the year, representing a year-on-year rise of nearly 45%, according to statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Most notably, the durian export price also increased sharply throughout the reviewed period, ranging from between US$4.3 to US$4.5 per kilo depending on the trading time.

China became the largest importer, spending US$1.22 billion on Vietnamese durian, up 46% year on year. This was followed by Thailand that purchased US$47 million worth of the product, up 90.5%.

Along with these two major markets, Japan and Cambodia also spent US$2.6 million and US$1.6 million on importing Vietnamese durian, representing two-fold and 23-fold rises, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, emphasised that the durian crop in the Central Highlands from July to October is expected to help durian exports gross US$3 billion this year, making a significant contribution to Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports.

Experts pointed out that both Vietnamese and Chinese authorities have completed technical negotiations and will soon sign the protocol on the export of frozen durian from Vietnam.

Furthermore, negotiations are currently underway for many other types of Vietnamese fruits such as fresh coconuts, pomelos, and avocados, which will further contribute to raising Vietnamese fruit turnover to China moving forward.