Season-end durian prices surge 60%

Farmers harvest durians in the Mekong Delta. Photo by VnExpress/ Manh Khuong

Farmer Loc in Tien Giang Province has recently sold his best-quality durians for VND105,000 ($4.31) per kilogram, his highest rate so far this year.

Durian prices were only VND65,000 in July, so the current price gave him a surge in profit.

Thanh, a durian farmer in the central highlands province of Dak Lak, said traders are offering him VND115,000 per kilogram, an unprecedented level.

"But there is very little supply as durian season has come to an end, so I am waiting for prices to go even higher."

Trader Dang Manh Khuong in Can Tho City said that the shortage of supply has driven prices up daily.

An opened durian in southern Can Tho City. Photo by VnExpress/Manh Khuong

"We have been buying all the durians we can find," he said, adding that he also had to put down deposits on durians that are not yet ready to be cut from the trees to ensure an adequate supply.

Industry insiders have been seeing rising demand from both domestic and international markets, especially from China.

Prices are expected to rise even further if supply continues to fall in upcoming days.

Nguyen Nhu Cuong, head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s horticulture unit, said that the season for durian in the Central Highlands provinces has nearly come to an end, and only a small area is yet to ripen in Gia Lai Province.