Vietnam durian boom draws coffee farmers to China market

Vietnam's durian boom is drawing coffee farmers in the Central Highlands toward the Chinese market, where demand for the fruit has reshaped planting decisions in one of the world's major coffee-growing regions.

Vietnam's Central Highlands produces around one sixth of the world's coffee, but the area planted with durian nationwide has risen more than fivefold over the past decade to 200,000 hectares, according to the agriculture ministry.

Vietnam entered China's durian market under a 2022 trade protocol and last year became China's biggest supplier by volume, ending Thailand's long run as the leading supplier. China imported almost $7.5 billion worth of fresh durian last year, nearly 12 times the value in 2015.

Pham Xuan Lan, a farmer in Ea Knuec commune in Dak Lak province, said his 400 durian trees produce 60 tonnes of fruit and that he expects to make $76,000 this year, compared with $10,000 if he had stayed only with coffee.

The boom has been helped by falling prices, better transport links and social media interest in China. Vietnam's government, however, warned in early August of the risks of oversupply and weaker quality control as planting expands quickly.

Some farmers are keeping coffee to reduce their risk. Lan still grows coffee on leased land, while another farmer, Hung, said he returned to coffee after struggling to meet the quality standards required for durian.