Farmers Face Dilemma as Durian Prices Drop Sharply

In Tien Giang, a Mekong Delta province, farmers like Thien are witnessing a significant drop in durian prices. Traders are now purchasing the fruit at just VND100,000 at the farm gate, marking a 33% decrease from last month. "This price only yields minimal profits, and so I decided to hold on to my harvest and wait for better prices," Thien shared.

Similarly, Hoang, another farmer in the same province, noted that prices for the Ri 6 variety have fallen to around VND132,000 per kilogram. "We (farmers) are worried about losses with such a steep drop," he said.

Limited Off-Season Supply and External Market Influences

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cai Be District reports that Tien Giang currently has 6,000 hectares under durian cultivation. However, only 40% of orchards have flowered during the off-season, which started last month, due to poor weather conditions. This has resulted in a 30% decline in supply compared to the same period last year.

Despite the limited supply, prices have plummeted, a phenomenon attributed to the influence of Thailand and China. Thanh, a trader in Tien Giang, explained that some Thai durian is still available in the market, competing with Vietnamese products. The reputation and competitiveness of Vietnamese durian took a hit earlier this year when some shipments were returned from China due to heavy-metal contamination.

Manh Khuong, a merchant in Can Tho City, added that major importers in China have collectively reduced their purchase prices, causing prices to drop in Vietnam. In response, many farmers are holding on to their stocks, waiting for prices to rebound, leading to a lack of durian supply in the market.

Durian Exports Fall Short of Target

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, stated that durian exports are expected to be worth only $3.2 billion this year, well short of the $3.5 billion target. The current market dynamics highlight the challenges faced by Vietnamese durian farmers and traders in maintaining competitiveness and market share.