Elevating the value of durian

In recent years, durian has emerged as one of Dong Nai's key agricultural products, generating significant economic returns for local growers. Benefiting from favorable soil and climate conditions, many farming households and cooperatives have invested in developing commercial-scale durian orchards integrated into value chains, contributing to local economic growth.

Durians are processed and packed by enterprises for export.

Nghia Trung Commune, Dong Nai City, is home to nearly 5,700 hectares of durian orchards, the majority of which are now in production, with an average yield exceeding 20 tonnes per hectare.

Producing high-quality fruit

These days, the durian harvest in Nghia Trung is in full swing. From early morning, traders come directly to the orchards to tap and pick the fruit, sort it, and transport durians to collection points.

The family of Ho Phuoc Khai, a member of Agricultural Cooperative 36 in Nghia Trung Commune, has 15 hectares of Thai Monthong durian now being harvested. Thanks to proper planting and care procedures and techniques, along with favorable soil and weather conditions, yields are estimated at 25 tonnes per hectare. With average selling prices exceeding VND60,000 per kilogram, his family is earning billions of VND after deducting costs. Notably, traders come directly to the orchard to buy more than 350 tonnes of these high-quality Thai Monthong durians, so there are no concerns about market outlets.

According to Khai, maintaining high fruit quality requires strict compliance with technical cultivation procedures, VietGAP standards and the use of organic fertilizers. Meanwhile, growers must closely monitor weather conditions to adjust farming practices accordingly. "Because our products meet quality standards and we have signed supply agreements with reputable companies and corporations, market access has been very stable," he said.

A similar picture can be seen at Duc Lieu Durian Cooperative, also located in Nghia Trung Commune. The cooperative's 23 members cultivate 67 hectares of Thai Monthong durian under VietGAP standards. Their orchards have been granted official growing-area codes, enabling traders to purchase the fruit directly at prices exceeding VND60,000 per kilogram. Cooperative Director Tran Nhu Y said this year's harvest has delivered both higher yields and better prices than previous seasons. "Depending on each orchard, average yields range from 20 to 25 tonnes per hectare. Since our growing areas have been officially coded, businesses come directly to purchase our fruit, so we have no concerns about market access," Y said.

Many other cooperatives, cooperative groups and durian growers' clubs across Nghia Trung are also harvesting their main crop. Total production in 2026 is estimated at 90,000 tonnes. With favorable yields and strong prices, many farming households are earning profits worth billions of VND.

Nguyen Van Luu, Chairman of the Nghia Trung Commune People's Committee, said the commune is currently experiencing a vibrant atmosphere as growers, traders and businesses engage in harvesting, purchasing, processing and trading durian. "Some families are earning several billion dong from this crop. This impressive income also stimulates related industries and services such as transportation, processing, exports and warehousing," he said. In addition to producing high-quality fruit, Nghia Trung has attracted 139 enterprises and facilities engaged in purchasing, packing and processing durian, including four companies that have obtained certified export packing codes.

Recognizing agriculture as its core economic strength, Nghia Trung Commune aims to ensure that 100 percent of eligible orchards receive official growing-area codes by 2027, while also expanding the number of certified export packing facilities.

Nguyen Van Luu, Chairman of the Nghia Trung Commune People's Committee

Strengthening the value chain

Truong Thinh Phat Trading Investment Company Limited is among the largest and most reputable enterprises in Nghia Trung authorized to operate export-certified packing facilities. During the harvest season, the company employs more than 350 workers to perform a wide range of tasks, from harvesting, transporting and collecting fruit to weighing, quality inspection, packing, processing and loading fresh and frozen products for export.

According to Deputy Director Luu Ly Hoang, Nghia Trung is not only Dong Nai City's largest durian-producing area but also offers major advantages in product quality, transport connectivity and its role as a collection hub for durian from neighboring regions. "Because of the consistently high quality of local durian, our company has signed purchasing agreements with cooperatives both within the commune and surrounding areas to buy their entire output," he said. He added that the company encourages farmers to sell directly at farm-gate prices rather than through intermediaries. "Working through middlemen can undermine product quality and brand reputation, making it more difficult to compete in international markets," Hoang noted.

To strengthen export competitiveness, local authorities are helping farmers and cooperatives obtain official growing-area codes, regarded as an essential "passport" for export markets. Nguyen Van Luu, Chairman of the Nghia Trung Commune People's Committee, said the commune currently has 11 certified growing-area codes, seven more than a year ago, with plans to increase the number to 28 in the near future. The commune is also coordinating with businesses and relevant authorities to establish two additional export packing facilities, raising the total to six.

Meanwhile, local authorities are working closely with the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment to issue growing-area codes in compliance with legal regulations, while cooperating with tax authorities to strengthen tax administration and tighten management of both growing-area and packing facility codes. These are unprecedented tasks that require close coordination among government officials at all levels to both attract investment and ensure strict compliance with legal requirements, thereby supporting the sustainable development of Dong Nai's durian industry.

By Vu Thuyen – Translated by Mai Nga,Minho