Export-quality durians remain profitable despite price declines

As the durian harvest season gets underway across many localities in Dong Nai City, growers are facing lower prices than last year. Meanwhile, some orchards have experienced declines in yield and fruit quality due to unfavorable weather conditions. However, farmers who have mastered cultivation techniques and produced high-quality fruit meeting export standards continue to earn substantial profits from the crop.

Traders buy durians at an orchard in La Nga Commune.

Notably, during this year’s harvest, export-grade Dona durians, also known as Monthong or Thai durians, have commanded prices two to three times higher than those of the Ri6 variety. As a result, many Dona growers are still reaping significant returns.

Dona specialty durian orchards enjoy strong profits

The two most widely cultivated durian varieties in Dong Nai are Ri6 and Dona. Traditionally, Dona durians have sold for VND10,000–20,000 more per kilogram than Ri6. However, the 2026 harvest season has seen an unusually wide price gap between the two varieties. Currently, export-standard Ri6 durians fetch just over VND30,000 per kilogram, while Dona durians sell for between VND70,000 and VND80,000 per kilogram, with prices at times reaching VND90,000 per kilogram.

Dong Nai City has an advantage in rapidly expanding the area under cultivation of Dona durian, as this renowned specialty durian variety has a long-standing reputation in the City. The seedling variety is produced by the Biotechnology Development Joint Stock Company (DONA-TECHNO) in Long Khanh Ward and has been included in the national crop variety registry. The brand is not only well-known among domestic consumers but is also the first Vietnamese specialty durian variety to be exported to the U.S. market.

Hoang Quoc Hung, a durian grower in Nghia Trung Commune, said his orchard contains more than 400 Thai durian trees currently in production. “Most of the trees are in their second harvest year, while some are producing fruit for the first time. Total output is expected to reach nearly 30 tonnes. Although prices are lower than in previous years, I sold the entire orchard at around VND62,000 per kilogram and still earned profits worth billions of dong,” Hung said. He added that his orchard also contains several dozen Ri6 trees, but the low market price has significantly reduced their economic contribution.

According to Tran Minh Tan, Director of the Xuan Bac Trade, Service and Tourism Cooperative in Xuan Bac Commune, this year's harvest has seen Dona durian prices about double those of Ri6 and, at times, three times higher. “With prices ranging from VND60,000 to VND70,000 per kilogram, Dona growers continue to earn strong profits,” Tan said. The cooperative has expanded its durian-growing area to approximately 51 hectares, with more than 70 percent of the area planted with Dona trees. Dona durian commands high prices and has more stable outlets as export markets increasingly favor this specialty variety. Cooperative members and durian farmers in the commune are continuing to expand the area planted with Dona durian. However, Tan noted that growing Dona requires farmers to master cultivation and care techniques; otherwise, the risk of crop losses will be higher.

Following administrative restructuring, Dong Nai City now has more than 23,000 hectares of durian plantations, making it one of the largest durian-growing regions in southern Vietnam.

Export standards are the key to success

Durian has become a flagship crop in many parts of Dong Nai and remains one of the most profitable agricultural products in the region. Nevertheless, profitability varies greatly among growers.

Nguyen Quoc Nghi, a farmer in La Nga Commune, said success depends heavily on fruit quality and compliance with export requirements. “Some orchards achieve excellent profits, while others suffer major losses,” Nghi explained. “Export-quality Dona durians can be sold to traders for VND60,000–70,000 per kilogram. But orchards with high rates of inferior fruit may only receive VND30,000–40,000 per kilogram. In some cases, durians affected by flesh disorders sell for little more than VND10,000 per kilogram.” He added that increasingly unpredictable weather has made durian cultivation more challenging, and growers lacking experience risk lower yields, poor fruit quality and difficulty accessing premium export markets.

Truong Bao, a durian trader operating in eastern Dong Nai, observed that market prices have fluctuated more sharply this year than in previous seasons. “At the beginning of the harvest, export-grade Dona durians reached VND90,000 per kilogram,” Bao said. “At the peak of the season, orchards were being contracted at around VND65,000 per kilogram, while export companies purchased fruit from collection centers for up to VND78,000 per kilogram.” He noted that exporters continue to demand large volumes of export-quality fruit, helping maintain relatively stable prices for durians that meet export standards.

Pham Thi My Nhan, Deputy Director of Post-Entry Plant Quarantine Center II, said export opportunities for fresh fruit, including durians, remain substantial, with significant potential for expansion into new international markets. However, she emphasized that export markets are becoming increasingly demanding. “Obtaining official market access for a fruit product can be a lengthy process, sometimes requiring up to ten years of negotiations,” Nhan said. Importing countries are imposing stricter requirements on quality, traceability and production standards, including mandatory growing-area codes and origin verification systems. According to Nhan, these requirements leave little room for fragmented or spontaneous production practices. Instead, growers must adopt professional farming methods, follow rigorous production protocols and deliver products that meet both quality and appearance standards.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho