China's Durian Demand Reshapes Vietnamese Coffee Farms
Thursday, 2026/09/03165 words3 minutes852 reads
Vietnam's Central Highlands is one of the world's key coffee regions, producing around one-sixth of global coffee. Yet Chinese demand for durian is encouraging farmers to reduce coffee trees or add a more profitable crop.
Vietnam entered China's fresh durian market through a trade protocol in 2022. Last year it became China's largest supplier by volume, ending Thailand's long dominance. Vietnam's durian area has risen more than fivefold in a decade to 200,000 hectares, according to its agriculture ministry.
One farmer in Dak Lak expects to earn US$76,000 this year from durian, compared with US$10,000 if he had grown only coffee. Better transport, more supply, and social-media popularity have also made the fruit easier for Chinese consumers to buy.
The change brings uncertainty. About 90 per cent of Vietnam's expected US$4 billion in durian exports this year will go to China. Officials have warned that rapid planting could cause oversupply and weaker quality control. Growing durian also requires careful management of water, fertiliser, and humidity.
