Durian prices plummet by 40%

Vietnamese farmers are also harvesting now, and Monthong durian grown in the Mekong Delta now sells for just VND95,000 (US$3.61) a kilogram, 35-40% down since the end of February. The Ri6 variety is VND75,000, down 25%.

Vietnamese farmers usually prioritize durian for export to China over domestic sales, but are now forced to sell much of it at home, driving prices down. Some are even willing to sell their fruits below market price fearing further price falls.

Durians in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Manh Khuong

Hoa in Dong Thap Province recently sold her entire Ri6 orchard at VND55,000 per kilogram, a 21% price drop from a month earlier.

She waited hoping prices would rise, but was disappointed and sold off her fruits to secure at least marginal profits.

Hoang, a trader in the same province, estimated that supply has doubled or even tripled in the last two weeks following the start of the harvest.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said the harvest season in Thailand is from March to June.

This year Thailand’s output is expected to rise by 16% to 1.78 million tons. This increased supply is driving prices down rapidly, he added.

Thai durians are also finding favor in China, the biggest importer of the fruit in the world, as farmers and exporters have worked hard on quality to meet China’s rising safety and traceability standards.

With China set to tighten import standards even further from June 1, Nguyen said Vietnamese exporters need to focus more on quality control to avoid rejection.