Dragon fruit maintains position as Vietnam’s top fruit export

Vietnamese durian sees continued decline

According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, 2025 has marked a turning point for Vietnamese fruit exports. In the first two months of the year, dragon fruit exports totaled $93.8 million, accounting for 14.3% of Vietnam’s total fruit and vegetable export value. February alone saw dragon fruit shipments valued at $35 million, representing 13.6% of the sector’s monthly total.

After many years, dragon fruit has regained its leading position in exported fruits and vegetables. (Photo: moit.gov.vn)

This marks the second consecutive month that dragon fruit has led Vietnam’s fruit export rankings. In January, dragon fruit generated $58 million in revenue—well ahead of durian, whose export earnings plunged by 73% to just $31 million.

Bananas also posted strong growth. February exports reached $40.8 million, a 32% increase from January. Total banana exports for the first two months of 2025 stood at $71.5 million, contributing more than 10% to overall fruit and vegetable export value.

In contrast, durian—once considered Vietnam’s “billion-dollar fruit”—has suffered a sharp downturn. February exports dropped to $21.4 million, and the cumulative figure for January and February remained the same. That’s a 69% decline year-over-year, reducing durian’s share to just 7.6% of Vietnam’s total fruit exports.

Exports to China, which traditionally consumes 95% of Vietnam’s durian shipments, plummeted by 83%, falling to $27 million.

Industry experts attribute the dramatic decline to new regulations imposed by China at the beginning of the year. Under these rules, all imported durian must undergo laboratory testing for cadmium and Auramine O—requirements that apply to all exporting countries but have particularly impacted Vietnamese producers. The regulations have complicated customs clearance procedures and slowed shipments.

Adding to the challenges, the European Union has increased border inspection rates for Vietnamese durian from 10% to 20% due to repeated violations of pesticide residue limits.

This downturn comes after a record year in 2024, when durian generated $3.21 billion in export revenue, accounting for nearly 45% of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export sector.

Dragon fruit eyes U.S expansion

The outlook for dragon fruit, however, appears far more promising.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, the fruit is undergoing a strong rise, driven by solid international demand and rising prices at home.

Currently, white-fleshed dragon fruit is fetching high farmgate prices, with Grade 1 fruit being purchased at VND 30,000–35,000 per kilogram, Grade 2 at around VND 28,000, and Grade 3 ranging between VND 23,000–24,000 per kilogram.

Nguyên noted that in previous years, dragon fruit used to be Vietnam’s top fruit export by value.

“In 2018, dragon fruit reached a record high of nearly USD 1.3 billion in exports,” he said. “However, that figure gradually declined, and by 2022, we had dropped below the 1 billion threshold. When Japan signed a protocol for formal imports of Vietnamese dragon fruit, the market picked up again. But with durian’s explosive growth, dragon fruit was pushed down the ranks.”

Nguyên emphasized that globally, dragon fruit is considered a “super fruit” due to its health benefits. The fruit remains highly popular in China, which imports 90% of its dragon fruit from Vietnam.

On April 11, a Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoàng Trung held talks with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), seeking to expand market access for Vietnamese fresh fruits, especially dragon fruit.

Vietnam has proposed that the U.S. allow vapor heat treatment as a phytosanitary method for dragon fruit, which would help reduce export costs for Vietnamese producers.

Currently, the U.S. accounts for nearly 10% of Vietnam’s dragon fruit exports. If the new treatment method is approved, shipments to the American market could rise significantly.