Vietnamese coffee farmers are increasingly replacing their traditional coffee crops with durian, driven by the fruit’s booming demand in China and higher profit margins, contributing to a significant shift in Vietnam’s agricultural landscape, as reported by BBC.

Vietnam, the world's largest producer of Robusta coffee, has seen a sharp decline in coffee exports as more farmers pivot to growing durian, a yellow fruit known for its pungent smell. Farmers have been drawn to the crop’s financial appeal, with some estimates showing durian to be up to five times more lucrative than coffee. “There’s a history of Vietnamese growers being quick to respond to market changes,” said Will Frith, a coffee consultant based in Ho Chi Minh City.

Between 2023 and 2024, Vietnam’s durian exports to China nearly doubled as the fruit became highly sought-after. This shift has led to a 50% drop in Vietnam’s Robusta coffee exports in June 2024 compared to the same period the previous year, according to the International Coffee Organisation. The move away from coffee comes as farmers face challenges in coffee cultivation, exacerbated by climate change. Prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather patterns in Vietnam have negatively affected coffee yields, further encouraging farmers to embrace the more resilient and profitable durian crop.

The rapid expansion of Vietnam’s durian market has caused concerns within the global coffee industry, which relies on the country’s Robusta supply. “With coffee stockpiles dwindling and durian production ramping up, the global coffee market is feeling the strain,” said Frith. As Vietnam’s farmers continue to capitalise on durian’s profitability, the future of the country's coffee production remains uncertain, with potential long-term impacts on both local economies and global coffee supply.