Imported Thai fruit prices plummet on rising supply

Loan, who runs a shop that sells imported fruits in HCMC, said Thai fruits have never been as cheap as they are this year.

Mangosteen and langsat are sold at VND55,000-60,000 (US$2.16-2.36) per kilogram, and rambutan at VND45,000-60,000, all 30-40% less than a year ago, she said.

Thai mangosteens on sale at a market in HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Hong Chau

Lan, a fruit merchant at the city’s Ba Chieu Market, said the prices of premium products such as Thai snake fruit and mini durian are also down 40%.

Snake fruit sells for VND60,000-70,000 and mini durian for VND60,000-130,000, she said.

"This year Thai fruits outcompete Vietnamese ones in both quality and price."

At wholesale markets in HCMC’s Thu Duc City and Hoc Mon District, many kinds of Thai fruits are being sold in large quantities.

Thai snake fruits sold at half of last year's prices at a wet market. Photo by VnExpress/Hong Chau

Thanh, an importer in An Giang Province, said the supply of Thai fruits has doubled from last year due to bountiful harvests, causing their prices to fall sharply.

The mangosteen, langsat and rambutan from that country are of higher quality this year, while Vietnamese crops have suffered from a poor harvest, he said.

This year mangosteen production in Binh Duong Province, one of the main growers, is estimated to have halved from a year ago, according to local farmers.

Durian production in the Mekong Delta has declined by 20-40% due to prolonged dry weather and scorching temperatures.

Farmers have also been shifting away from rambutan in recent years due to its low profitability.

This year, shipping costs have decreased by 20-30% from last year, Thanh said. Many importers have begun to transport fruits from Thailand by road through Cambodia to lower costs, he added.

In the first four months of 2024 Vietnam imported $643 million worth of fruits and vegetables, up 15% year-on-year.

Thailand accounted for $13.3 million, marking a 5% increase from the same period last year.