Last year, despite its high domestic output, Vietnam still spent $ 16.2 million imported to frozen durian, 8 times higher than 2023.
According to data from the General Department of Customs, in December 2024, Vietnam imported $ 4.2 million frozen durian, a record high and an increase of 35 times compared to the same period 2023. The reason is that the demand increases the occasion of Tet, when food businesses accelerate the production of high -class cakes and candies from durian. Most of this amount is Musang King, a famous Malaysian durian.
Vietnam currently grows Musang King, but according to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen – General Secretary of Vietnam Vegetable Association, this type of output is not high due to poor quality, the productivity is not achieved. Many gardeners have cut off because they do not meet expectations. Meanwhile, durian imported from Malaysia has stable quality, delicious taste, suitable for high -end consumption segment.
At the end of 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) signed a decree with Malaysia, allowing Musang King to export official export to Vietnam. This is a turning point that makes it easy to access the market, instead of pointing to the laptop as before.
Malaysia’s frozen Musang King is imported for 599,000 VND 400 grams. Image: Farmer market
On the market today, Musang King frozen imported from Malaysia costs about 500,000-600,000 VND for a box of 400 grams separated, equivalent to 1.2-1.3 million VND per kg. This price has decreased by about 40% compared to the new time to Vietnam. Meanwhile, this variety grown in water is being sold for 150,000-200,000 VND per kg unchanged, but the purchasing power is low because of the uneven quality.
Musang King is native to Sabah, Malaysia. The first person to discover this durian is Mr. Wee Chong Beng, in the Musang cave area of Kelantan. After that, this variety was replicated and became a famous specialty for its greasy, aromatic and high economic taste. This durian usually weighs 2-4 kg, oval, dark green skin with large spines. The recognizable point is that the groove runs from the stem to the left bottom, the bottom part is clearly divided into 5 large and thick zones.