(VAN) Known as a premium Malaysian durian variety, Black Thorn is currently being trialed by several growers in Viet Nam.
Although not among Viet Nam’s most widely cultivated durian varieties, such as Ri6 or Dona, Black Thorn (also known as Duri Hitam, Ochee, or Hei Tze) has recently attracted growing interest from farmers due to its premium quality and high market value.
According to information compiled by the Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI), Black Thorn originated in Kampung Lima Kongsi, Penang, Malaysia. It was discovered by Bagi Kau and officially registered in Malaysia in 2015 under the cultivar code D200.
The variety is known for its grayish-green shell, average fruit weight of 1.5-2 kg, thick orange-red flesh, smooth texture, low fiber content, moderately sweet flavor with a slight bitter aftertaste, and a high percentage of aborted seeds. In Malaysia, growers are advised to keep only about 10 fruits on 5-6-year-old trees and 50-70 fruits on 20-year-old trees to maintain fruit quality.
Black Thorn fruits typically weigh 1.5-2 kg and are characterized by thick orange-red flesh, a smooth texture, low fiber content, and a high edible portion. Photo: Minh Dam.
In Viet Nam, Black Thorn has increasingly been propagated and cultivated. The first reported harvest of Black Thorn in the country took place in 2020 in Cho Lach District using grafted mature durian trees.
In Phu Phung Commune, Mr Nguyen Thanh Nghia, owner of Tu Thanh Nursery and a long-time grower, was among the early adopters of the variety.
Mr Nghia said his family has propagated and monitored Black Thorn for five to six years. Initial efforts focused on evaluating growth characteristics, fruit quality, and adaptability before expanding cultivation.
“At first, I mainly propagated seedlings. After several harvests and quality assessments, I decided last year to plant an additional two hectares. Provincial authorities also evaluated fruit from my orchard for mother-tree certification and found the edible flesh ratio reached 33%,” he said.
According to Mr Nghia, Black Thorn’s most impressive traits are its uniform fruit shape, relatively high flesh content, and strong fruit-setting ability.
However, he cautioned against overloading young trees with fruit. “Some trees can set a large number of fruits, but if the branches are still small, excessive fruiting reduces flesh quality and weakens the tree because nutrients become insufficient”, he explained.
Mr Nguyen Thanh Nghia is inspecting Black Thorn durians in his orchard. Photo: Minh Dam.
Field observations also indicate that Black Thorn grows relatively quickly under proper management. However, regarding resistance to pests and diseases, Mr Nghia believes it performs similarly to other commonly grown durian varieties in Viet Nam.
Despite strong commercial potential, comprehensive research on Black Thorn’s adaptation to Viet Nam’s climate and soils, disease resistance, yield performance, fruit quality, and production efficiency remains limited.
SOFRI has also advised that imported or newly introduced durian varieties should undergo further evaluation before large-scale expansion is recommended.
As Viet Nam’s durian industry moves toward stricter production standards and higher export-quality requirements, many experts believe that new varieties such as Black Thorn should be introduced through controlled trials rather than speculative planting driven by market trends.
For Mr Nghia, years of experience in nursery production have reinforced the importance of caution.
“A new variety may create opportunities, but success ultimately depends on soil conditions, climate, cultivation techniques, and orchard management. No single variety is a solution for everything,” he said.
According to market data as of June 10, Black Thorn remained among the highest-priced durian varieties in Viet Nam, with farm-gate prices of approximately VND 110,000-115,000/kg for Grade A fruit and VND 90,000-95,000/kg for Grade B fruit. These prices are significantly higher than those of Ri6 (around VND 40,000-43,000/kg) and Musang King (VND 80,000-85,000/kg).
Traders attribute Black Thorn’s premium pricing to its limited supply, thick flesh, low fiber content, and appeal to high-end consumers. However, the current market recovery remains concentrated in premium-quality fruit, while lower-grade products continue to face sales pressure.
$ 1 = VND 26,423 – Source: Vietcombank.
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