Malaysia exports fresh durian to China, will the position of Vietnamese durian be affected?

"Soon, China will open its doors to fresh durian from Malaysia, at which time Vietnamese durian will lose its role and position in this number 1 market. This is what I am very concerned about" - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam informed many delegates who are businesses and functional agencies of localities in the Mekong Delta at the workshop "Consulting on perfecting policies and laws to build Vietnamese agricultural product brands" held in Can Tho City recently.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said that Malaysia will soon be able to export fresh durian to China. Photo: Huynh Xay

According to Mr. Nam, the work that needs to be done now is to build and protect the Vietnamese durian brand. In particular, priority should be given to building standards for control.

Mr. Nam also assigned the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association to organize a workshop to discuss the above issue. "Every day we delay is a loss. We have already learned a hard lesson about protecting the copyright of the ST 25 rice brand," said Mr. Nam.

Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association Dang Phuc Nguyen said that in 2023, durian exports will reach 2.3 billion USD, and in 2024 it could be over 3 billion USD.

Secretary General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association Dang Phuc Nguyen said that there must be strict measures to control the harvesting of substandard durian and young durian, and at the same time, develop standards and regulations for durian exports. Photo: Huynh Xay

To protect Vietnam's very important durian industry, Mr. Nguyen said that we must promote all current strengths, such as quality, output, and brand.

Regarding quality, Mr. Nguyen suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development take measures to strictly control the harvesting of substandard durian and young durian, and at the same time develop standards and regulations for exported durian.

"We don't have any standards or regulations for exporting durian, while Thailand already has them. Thailand even sent law enforcement agencies to control and handle individuals and units exporting substandard durian," Mr. Nguyen informed.

Farmers in the Mekong Delta harvest durian. Photo: Huynh Xay

Mr. Nguyen continued: "Should we only license the export of reputable durian varieties that can create a national brand, such as Ri6 durian and Dona durian, and not allow anyone to export any durian they want?"

Because if we export durian varieties that are not delicious, of poor quality, and of poor reputation, it will have a negative impact on Vietnamese fruit.

"Durian exports should not be left unchecked. This is not only the responsibility of ministries and sectors, but also the responsibility of businesses and producers," the General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association emphasized.

Source: https://danviet.vn/malaysia-xuat-khau-sau-rieng-tuoi-sang-trung-quoc-vi-the-cua-sau-rieng-viet-nam-co-bi-anh-huong-20240319134416754.htm