The companies attended the second Asia Durian Conference and Vietnam–China Durian Supply and Demand Matching session in Ho Chi Minh City on July 14–15. The event attracted around 500 participants, including government officials, industry experts and businesses from both countries. It aimed to connect Vietnamese growers and exporters directly with Chinese importers and distribution networks.

Addressing the conference, Cai Jianfei, founder of iFresh, the Chinese co-organiser of the event, informed that the delegation comprises major importers and fruit distribution companies such as Pagoda, Xianfeng Fruit and Chengxin Zhiyuan, along with major retailers, wholesalers, importers and exporters.

"These are buyers with clear purchasing demand and confirmed orders for high-quality Vietnamese durian," she said.

Cai noted that the Vietnam–China durian trade is entering a new stage in which quality and value, rather than volume, will determine long-term success. She called on businesses in both countries to strengthen cooperation, build trusted brands and develop a more sustainable industry.

In her view, Vietnam has strong advantages as one of the world's largest durian exporters, thanks to its favourable growing conditions, extensive cultivation areas and expanding processing capacity, while China's rapidly evolving consumer market is placing greater emphasis on product quality, branding and standardized grading.

Zhang Le, general director of Xianfeng Fruit Vietnam, said Chinese consumers have shown a strong preference for Vietnamese durian since the fruit gained access to the Chinese market. He expressed hope that the conference would help Chinese buyers establish long-term partnerships with reliable Vietnamese suppliers to expand imports of high-quality durian.

Industry experts said Vietnam's durian sector needs to strengthen linkages among growers, processors, exporters and Chinese distributors to maintain export growth. They also called for greater standardisation, stronger brand development and expanded production of processed durian products, including frozen and freeze-dried varieties, to increase added value and reduce seasonal market pressures.

Vietnamese durian gains access to new markets

The anticipated opening of the Indian market in July, coupled with rising demand in the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Australia, is creating new growth opportunities for Vietnam’s billion-dollar durian industry.