Thai fresh durian shipments to China rebounded in the second quarter after a decline earlier this year.
According to data from Chinese Customs, imports of durian from Thailand were worth nearly $2.67 billion, accounting for 75% of total imports of the fruit – a significant increase from the 42.5% recorded in the first quarter. Thailand’s market share in China in 2023 was 68%.
Thailand’s main competitor, Vietnam, accounted for the majority of the remaining market share in the second quarter. Vietnamese durian is typically sold at a lower price due to better transportation costs.
Liang Yan, an economist in the US state of Oregon, said Thailand has long had a “first-mover advantage” with Chinese consumers. The second quarter is also the main harvest season for Thai durian. Consistent flavor and brand recognition further enhance the appeal of Thai durian.
“Thailand’s increased weight in the second quarter mainly came from peak seasonal production, Chinese users’ preference for Thai durian, and the strong trade network they have established long ago,” said Lim Chin Khee, an advisor to the Durian Academy, an organization that trains Malaysian durian growers.
China is the world’s largest buyer of durian, importing 1.4 million tons in 2023. Dubbed the “king of fruits,” durian is considered a delicacy and is even used as a commemorative gift on special occasions such as weddings.
Fresh durian exports to China in 2021-2023 (in million tons). Source: General Administration of Customs of China.
The country’s efforts to grow durian trees on the tropical island of Hainan are still in the early stages, with production scale and development level currently unable to match those of Southeast Asian countries.
July trade data released in China estimated that fresh durian imports from Thailand were worth $363 million, while those from Vietnam were $270 million. In the last four months (up to July), Thailand exported 609 million kg of durian to China, while Vietnam exported 296 million kg.
Thai durian remains popular in China largely due to its consistent flavor, said Song Seng Wun, an economic advisor at CGS, a financial services firm in Singapore.
Recently, Malaysia was also approved to export fresh durian to China. However, experts say that Malaysian durian currently does not have enough supply to compete with Vietnam or Thailand.
Malaysian durian may also be more expensive than Thai durian – it can go up to $28 per kg in Chinese markets and groceries – but it stands out for its superior flavor.
Source: SCMP
The most extensive bribery case ever in Thanh Hoa: Numerous suspects prosecuted for “Giving and Receiving Bribes”
The Provincial Security Investigation Agency (PSIA) of Thanh Hoa province announced on January 31st that it has made the decision to initiate a prosecution against 23 individuals in connection with the offenses of “Accepting bribes” and “Giving bribes” as stipulated in Article 354(3) and Article 364(2) of the Criminal Code.
Accelerating disbursement of the 120 trillion VND credit package for social housing
Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà has recently issued directives regarding the implementation of the 120,000 billion VND credit package for investors and buyers of social housing, workers’ housing, and projects for the renovation and construction of apartment buildings.
“Prosecution of government officials, land registration officers, and tax department employees in the largest bribery case ever”
The Thanh Hoa Police Investigative Agency has initiated legal proceedings against 23 individuals involved in the crimes of “Bribery” and “Receiving bribes”. This is the largest bribery case in terms of the number of suspects ever discovered and apprehended by the Thanh Hoa Police.
Mobile World achieves revenue of VND118,000 trillion: TVs, tablets, and phones all decrease by 10% – 50%, while one product grows in both quantity and revenue.
Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG) has recently announced its 2023 business results. According to the report, the company’s consolidated revenue reached over 118 trillion Vietnamese dong, equivalent to 89% of the revenue in 2022.
Vietnam’s Irresistible ‘Specialty’ That China Desperately Wants to Revive: Highly Popular from the US to Asia, Bringing in Millions of Dollars
Vietnam is one of the largest exporting countries in the world, along with China and the Philippines.
