Red-fleshed jackfruit price halves

Many small traders said the increasing supply of the fruit, first grown in Indonesia and then in some other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, has led to the sharp fall in prices.

Besides, its harvest coincides with that of other tropical fruits, meaning there is a secular decline in all fruit prices.

The jackfruit was first grown in the Mekong Delta, and then in other southern provinces like Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai.

Thanh, a jackfruit grower in Binh Phuoc, said: "Indonesian red-fleshed jackfruit is easy to grow and tend, and requires little spending. Their stems and fruits are less susceptible to diseases and pests, and their yield is 30-40% higher than that of other jackfruit varieties."

Statistics from the agriculture departments of southern provinces like Binh Phuoc, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, and Long An show the fruit is grown on nearly 2,000 hectares.

Binh Phuoc, which accounts for over half that area, plans to increase it to 3,000 hectares by 2025.

Once a sought-after specialty and only sold at high-end fruit stores at VND250,000 per kilogram five years ago, now it is available in many traditional markets and can be seen even on sidewalk shops.