As area of durian is increasing, the Department of Crop Production is worried about excess

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According to the Department of Crop Production, on November 30, 2022, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Directive No. 8084/CT-BNN-TT on sustainable development of durian and passion fruit production.

However, at present, in the provinces of the Mekong Delta, the Southeast and the Central Highlands, durian trees are still experiencing growth, especially expanding in areas where soil and ecological conditions are not suitable; destroying coffee and pepper trees in durian intercropping gardens; converting paddy field to grow durian.

The Department of Crop Production said the massive increase in area, lack of control, following the trend, and not following the orientation and recommendations of the management agencies and specialized agencies will lead to unpredictable consequences such as supply exceeding demand; and more seriously, in unsuitable areas such as saline and alum contaminated areas, areas that are not actively irrigated and drained will cause serious damage to the productivity and quality of durian in Vietnam.

In order to develop durian sustainably and effectively, in line with the general development orientation of the sector, the Department of Crop Production proposed the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of the provinces/cities continue directing the departments, branches, districts, cities, towns, enterprises, cooperatives, durian growing households to seriously implement Directive No. 8084/CT-BNN-TT of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At the same time, focusing on propaganda and dissemination, in order to gradually change habits and production awareness.

The development of crops in general and durian, in particular, should be market-oriented, and under the direction of the management agencies. Instead of increasing the area and quantity, it is necessary to focus on reorganizing production, linking production, standardizing production processes from cultivation, and harvesting to processing, transportation and distribution in order to improve added value.

Concentrating on orientation and integration of fruit tree development in the provincial planning; proposing mechanisms and policies; attracting enterprises to invest in processing establishments associated with farmers, and cooperatives to build concentrated fruit-growing areas; developing the code of the planting area, the code of the packing establishment; applying advanced and safe farming technology processes.

Soon issuing a plan to transform the crop structure on rice land, in which it is necessary to clearly orient the advantageous areas and suitable areas for the converted crops and the durian tree should be noted; guide, inspect and supervise the transformation of crops on paddy fields.

The first 3 containers of durian for official export to China. Photo: TL

Strengthening the management, inspection and quality control of durian varieties; appraisal and recognition of leading durian trees and orchards; popularizing the application of good agricultural practices in concentrated production areas, planting area codes; improving quality and ensuring food safety; associating with packing, processing, consuming and exporting enterprises; building brands and enhancing value and production efficiency.

In 2022, durian exports grew by 137% compared to 2021. Currently, durian in the western provinces is seeing the price triple last year. According to Customs data, in 2022, the export of fresh fruit will only reach about $2.1 billion, down nearly 11% compared to 2021. The main reason is that the main product is dragon fruit, which has decreased by nearly 39% compared to the previous year. last year, only reached 632 million USD. The proportion of dragon fruit also decreased from 44% to 30% in the total structure of fresh fruit exports of Vietnam.

In contrast, durian products increased by 137%, equivalent to a turnover of 421 million USD. The share of durian in the structure of exports increased from 7.6% in 2021 to 20% in 2022.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that Vietnam's durian has a favorable advantage when the supply is almost year-round, while Thailand has a seasonal crop.

First approved batches of Vietnamese durians en route to China

China is the world's largest durian consumption market and is next to our country, so it takes us less time and cost than Thailand to bring the product to Chinese consumers. Durian can become a Vietnamese billion-dollar export item in 2023 if it continues to comply with market regulations.