Exports of durian and lobster to China soared

From the beginning of the year until now, durian and lobster have emerged as the two products with the most notable price movements in the agricultural and aquatic product export group, simultaneously maintaining high levels and increasing sharply compared to the same period last year.

Spiny lobster at the raft is currently priced at 1.1-1.5 million VND per kg, retail price up to 1.8-2.9 million VND per kg depending on size. Blue lobster is popular at 700,000-1.1 million VND per kg at the raft and 1.4-1.7 million VND per kg at retail.

For the fruit group, Monthong type A durian (2.7 boxes) is purchased at the warehouse for 140,000-150,000 VND per kg, type B (2.5 boxes) is about 120,000-125,000 VND per kg; Ri6 type A is at 80,000-84,000 VND per kg, 30-50% higher than the same period last year.

The price increase is accompanied by the acceleration of exports to China – the largest market of Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery products. In the first two months of the year, export turnover to this market increased by 56% over the same period, far exceeding the single-digit increase to the US and Japan.

Regarding each specific product, data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) shows that lobster exports to China reached 259 million USD in 2 months, an increase of 65% over the same period last year. Of which, blue lobster accounts for the largest proportion with 206 million USD, an increase of 32%, continuing to play a key role. Spiny lobster reached nearly 1.3 million USD, an increase of 43%. Other types of lobster reached 52 million USD, an increase of 6,138%

With durian, exports to China reached about 300 million USD, an increase of 469%, becoming the main factor driving the growth of the fruit and vegetable group in the context of a decline in some other products. This increase shows that consumption demand in the Chinese market has clearly recovered, especially for high-value products.

Explaining the above trend, VASEP said China is a large consumer market for fresh products, especially in the period before and after the Lunar New Year. As demand increases again, lobster emerges as a new growth driver. At the same time, improving quality, transparency of origin and increasing traceability have helped products improve their competitiveness.

From a fruit perspective, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that durian exports increased sharply not only because quarantine problems were removed, but also thanks to the off-season advantage. While some countries have passed the harvest, Vietnam’s supply is right at the time when demand in China increases during Tet, causing orders to increase sharply.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also sees this growth momentum as reflecting that international market demand for Vietnamese agriculture, forestry and fisheries remains at a good level, and shows a positive signal in expanding the market and improving the industry’s export value in the coming time.

However, the increase in exports does not go hand in hand with the abundance of domestic supply. Many shrimp farming households in the South Central region said that the amount of commercial shrimp is not much left due to the storm at the end of last year damaging cages. Many people are still cautious about re-farming.

With durian, this year’s off-season output decreased by 30-40%, making the market even more scarce in a favorable export context.

According to experts, the mismatch between supply and demand is keeping prices at a high level, and shows the great sensitivity of the Chinese market. When demand recovers and technical barriers are removed, exports may increase rapidly, leading to clear fluctuations in prices and domestic supply.