Vietnam’s Central Highlands coffee farmers are shifting part of their land from coffee to durian, driven by higher returns as demand rises in China. Some farmers describe durian as a more profitable alternative to coffee, reflecting the growing financial appeal of the fruit. The change is taking place in Dak Lak and other Highlands areas known for agriculture.
The reports link the shift to China’s market opportunities, though they differ on timelines and official entry points. Channel NewsAsia says Vietnam officially entered the Chinese durian market only after a 2022 trade protocol, and that Vietnam becomes China’s biggest supplier by volume only last year. Other outlets focus more on the supply surge, including Vietnam overtaking Thailand as China’s top durian supplier.
One outlet also emphasizes the scale of expansion: the area planted with durian in Vietnam has grown sharply over the past decade, exceeding fivefold to about 200,000 hectares nationwide, according to the Japan Times. Across coverage, Vietnam’s status as a major coffee producer remains part of the context for the crop change, even as durian becomes more economically attractive.
