“Unique” yellow-skinned durian brings high economic value

The Dona yellow-skinned durian orchard owned by Tran Minh Tan in Xuan Bac Commune is currently being sold at VND10,000-15,000 per kilogram higher than durians of the same variety. The products have not only gained popularity among domestic consumers but have also attracted the attention of Chinese partners. Many shipments have already been sold and received positive feedback thanks to their unique, eye-catching appearance and delicious, aromatic flesh.

Tran Minh Tan, a farmer in Xuan Bac Commune, introduces his yellow-skinned durian orchard, which is about to enter the harvest season.

According to Tran Minh Tan, this is a specialty durian variety of Dong Nai. The fruit develops its distinctive bright yellow skin thanks to his use of a fruit-bagging technique that prevents direct exposure to sunlight. This solution not only creates distinctive durian products in the market but also helps produce clean durians that meet the stringent requirements of importing markets.

Producing clean, one-of-a-kind durians

Sharing the story behind the yellow-skinned durian, Tran Minh Tan said: “In recent years, durian exports have faced difficulties because importing countries, including China which was previously considered an easy market have imposed increasingly stringent food safety standards. Therefore, inspired by the fruit-bagging technique used to produce clean mangoes for export, I came up with the idea of bagging durians. This method helps produce clean durians while also creating fruits with a bright yellow shell that distinguishes them from conventional durians. More importantly, I targeted the preferences of the large Chinese market, where yellow-colored fruits symbolize prosperity, wealth, and good health”.

Thanks to its distinctive appearance and uniqueness, yellow-skinned durian is currently sold at VND10,000-15,000 per kilogram higher than durians of the same variety, thereby increasing economic returns for growers.

Turning the idea into reality required a long period of experimentation. In 2025, Tan began testing the production of yellow-skinned durians, but the initial results were unsatisfactory because there were no suitable fruit bags available on the market for such large fruits with sharp spines.

After numerous trials, he developed a three-layer fruit bag. The innermost layer is made of durable fabric that comes into direct contact with the durian shell. The second layer consists of black fabric that blocks sunlight, while the outermost layer serves as the protective covering. The bag is considerably larger than those used for other fruit crops. It is designed to completely enclose the fruit, preventing insects and pests from entering and even keeping rainwater from contacting the durian shell.

According to Tan, it took him two years to fine-tune the current design. Nevertheless, he continues to improve the bag by enhancing its durability, reducing the risk of tearing, and making it reusable for future harvests.

Tan explained that although the method requires an additional investment of about VND3,000 per fruit bag and extra labor for bagging, it effectively prevents pest attacks, thereby reducing pesticide costs. As a result, production costs increase only slightly compared with conventional cultivation. The fruits are bagged when they reach 50 days of age and remain covered until harvest.

According to Tran Minh Tan, although the fruits are enclosed and receive limited sunlight during their development, the formation of the characteristic yellow color still requires warm weather conditions. Conversely, under low temperatures, the fruit skin cannot develop the desired bright yellow. This is also an advantage enjoyed by Dong Nai and several neighboring localities for expanding the yellow-skinned durian production model.

Bagged durians no longer suffer from cracked spines, insect infestations, or skin blemishes. As a result, the flesh is drier when ripe, with a richer aroma and better flavor. Tan also noted that with proper care, approximately 80% of bagged durians meet export standards. This brings substantial economic benefits because export-grade durians command significantly higher prices than lower-grade fruits. Besides their superior quality, yellow-skinned durians attract consumers with their striking color, setting them apart from similar products. This allow them to command higher prices and generate higher profits for farmers.

Building the yellow-skinned durian brand

Farmer Tran Minh Tan shared that although this is a relatively new durian-growing area, local soil conditions are well suited to the crop, enabling healthy tree growth. With support from local authorities and the agricultural sector, durian growers in the area established the Xuan Bac Trade - Service - Tourism Cooperative, comprising 33 members cultivating a total area of approximately 51 hectares.

About 70% of the cooperative's area is planted with the Dona variety, while the remaining area is planted with Ri6. Farmers continue expanding Dona cultivation because it delivers higher economic value and is favored by export markets. Specifically, export-quality Ri6 durian currently sells for VND35,000-37,000 per kilogram, whereas Dona durian fetches VND70,000-80,000 per kilogram, more than double the price. However, cultivating Dona durian variety requires greater technical expertise and more intensive care; otherwise, the risk of crop failure is significantly higher.

Yellow-skinned durians

As Director of the Xuan Bac Trade - Service - Tourism Cooperative, Tan has focused from the outset on organic-oriented cultivation, prioritizing the use of livestock manure and decomposed grass to improve soil fertility. As a result, the durian trees grow more vigorously and exhibit greater resistance to pests and diseases. This has also become the cooperative's production orientation.

Accordingly, the cooperative serves as a focal point for connecting members with agricultural input suppliers, helping them select safe fertilizers and crop protection products free from prohibited substances. It also coordinates with technical specialists from input suppliers to provide farmers with on-site guidance on the proper use of fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring their compliance with withdrawal periods and producing safe durians.

Tan's orchard covers approximately 10 hectares, of which nearly 7 hectares are planted with durians. Around 0.5 hectare is currently dedicated to yellow-skinned durians. Many cooperative members are now learning and preparing to adopt this technique for the next harvest season.

In addition, the Agricultural Service Team of the Xuan Bac Trade - Service - Tourism Cooperative is assisting numerous orchards in Dong Nai City and Dak Lak Province in expanding yellow-skinned durian cultivation through technology transfer and guaranteed product purchasing.

This is the second year that the cooperative has introduced this unique durian variety to the market. However, because production remains limited, the products are currently supplied mainly to several Chinese partners and loyal customers in a number of provinces and cities across Vietnam.

The cooperative is currently applying for One Commune One Product (OCOP) certification, while also registering intellectual property rights and an exclusive trademark for the type of products. These are important steps toward building and developing the yellow-skinned durian brand, facilitating market expansion both domestically and internationally, and promoting exports in the coming years.

By Binh Nguyen - Translated by Diec Quyen, Thu Ha