From mid-July through the end of September, specialized agencies are increasing inspections and guidance on harvesting, grading and product handling procedures to help growers comply with export standards and preserve access to overseas markets.
Gia Lai has approximately 9,200 hectares of durian plantations with annual production of nearly 58,000 tonnes. Around 4,190 hectares are cultivated under production-linked models connected to product buyers.
The province has also been granted 80 export planting area codes covering more than 1,849 hectares, along with six certified packing facility codes capable of processing between 400 and 420 tonnes of fresh fruit per day.
Preparations are well underway in Gào commune, one of the province's major durian-growing areas. The commune has about 300 hectares of durian, including nearly 200 hectares covered by eight export planting area codes. Farmers have focused on safe cultivation practices, product traceability and maintaining compliance with export certification requirements.
Hoàng Nhân, a grower in Hamlet 5 of Gào commune, expects his family's 170 mature durian trees to produce around 30 tonnes of fruit this season after favorable weather and careful orchard management.
He said his family consistently follows safe production procedures and uses crop protection products according to technical guidance to maintain fruit quality. This year's harvest has produced uniform fruit that has received positive feedback from traders.
Nguyễn Văn Phương, deputy head of Gào commune's economic office, said businesses and traders had begun surveying orchards and signing purchase agreements early in the season. Combined with favorable weather and improved cultivation techniques, the outlook for this year's harvest remains positive.
Other major growing areas, including Đak Đoa, Kon Gang, Ia Ko, Chư Prông and Ia Phìn, are also preparing for harvest. Farmers are cultivating commercial varieties such as Monthong, Ri6 and Musang King while applying technical production practices to improve quality, with many orchards expected to deliver strong yields.
Officials and growers, however, say production volumes and prices alone are no longer sufficient to secure export opportunities as overseas markets place greater emphasis on food safety and transparent supply chains.
Lê Danh Lăng, director of the Ia Phìn Organic Durian Cooperative in Chư Prông commune, said a single shipment failing pesticide residue or traceability requirements could damage not only an exporting company but also the reputation of the entire production region. The cooperative therefore requires all members to strictly follow production protocols and maintain detailed cultivation records throughout the growing season.
Farmer Trần Văn Hưng of Ktu village in Kon Gang commune said effective management of planting area codes is essential for the industry's long-term development.
His family cultivates about 10 hectares of durian and is working to obtain certification for a planting area code. He said participating in certified production areas improves market access while protecting growers who comply with production standards.
According to Phương, certified planting areas have clearly defined boundaries, making management and traceability more effective while providing businesses with reliable raw material sources for procurement, processing and export.
Local authorities are working closely with specialized agencies to strengthen public awareness campaigns, inspections and supervision of planting area codes.
The effort aims to detect and prevent the misuse or unauthorized borrowing of codes to certify products that do not meet export requirements, helping safeguard the reputation of Gia Lai's durian industry.
As competition in export markets intensifies, maintaining planting area standards has become a shared responsibility for farmers, cooperatives, businesses and regulators seeking to sustain the province's position in international markets.
Under Official Dispatch No. 7255/UBND-NNMT, issued on June 2, the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee directed relevant agencies and local authorities to strengthen the management of planting area and packing facility codes, reinforce post-certification compliance, improve traceability systems and develop standardized production areas to enhance agricultural quality, protect the reputation of Gia Lai durian and support sustainable exports.
