In the heart of Khanh Hoa province, Vo Xuan Hien, a 60-year-old mango farmer, is grappling with a bitter irony: ripe mangoes are falling from his trees, yet his profits have vanished. The price slump has plunged to a mere VND5,000–8,000 (20-30 U.S. cents) per kilogram, a stark contrast to VND30,000 just a year ago. With the thought of unharvested fruit weighing heavily on his mind, Hien, who once enjoyed an annual income of VND400 million with a 50% profit margin, now only hopes to break even.
“In my eight years of growing mango, this is the first time I am experiencing both a poor harvest and low prices,” he lamented, reflecting the turmoil facing many in his district. Cam Lam District, home to around 7,000 hectares of mango orchards, including 4,000 hectares dedicated to the Australian variety that has flourished in Vietnam since 2003, is at a tipping point. If left unharvested, thousands of tons of mangoes are set to rot within two weeks.
The plummeting prices can be traced back to a significant drop in demand from China, the traditional powerhouse in mango imports from this region. Huynh Uy Vien, the district’s vice chairman, highlighted that China’s increased domestic mango production has lessened its need for imports, leaving local farmers in dire straits. As a result, many of the mangoes are now sold locally or converted into dried products and juice.
“Our farmers are facing a critical situation—up to 1,800 tons of mango are ripe and ready for harvest yet remain unsold, and the prices are now below production costs,” he added, revealing the desperate need for intervention. His office is actively collaborating with supermarkets and retail chains to boost local consumption, but the damage has already been done for many farmers.
Local farmer Thao expressed her frustration, noting that prices have nosedived over the last month, leaving her expected losses at VND100 million. “Ripe mangoes are falling, and traders are paying dirt-cheap prices,” she said, encapsulating the despair shared among growers.
Amidst the turmoil, opportunities for processing mangoes are emerging. Dang The Thuyen, CEO of local processing company Camlamonline, remarked that unfavorable weather has led to a decline in the quality of many fruits. Still, he’s committed to supporting farmers by purchasing 100 tons this month for dried mango production. “We plan to buy more to help farmers recoup some of their investments,” he said, signaling a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges.
The situation is dire, yet as the saying goes, sometimes when it rains, it pours—just not the kind of rain that helps mangoes thrive!
What has caused the recent drop in mango prices?
A significant decrease in demand from China, which has ramped up its own mango production, has led to lower prices for exported mangoes from Khanh Hoa.
How are local farmers responding to this crisis?
Farmers like Vo Xuan Hien and Thao are struggling with unharvested crops and losses, with many resorting to selling their mangoes at unsustainable prices.
What measures are being taken to address the situation?
Local government officials are working to enhance domestic consumption by partnering with supermarkets and retail chains, while some processing companies are stepping in to buy mangoes to support farmers.
