As the Lunar New Year, or Tet, approaches, the cost of durians has seen a significant spike due to the dwindling supply in the Mekong Delta region. Traders are currently buying the highest quality, or grade A, Monthong durians for a rate of VND140,000 (US$5.4) per kilogram, marking the highest price point in two years.
The Grade A Ri6 durian is also witnessing a price surge, selling at VND80,000, which is an increase of 30 to 50 percent from prices recorded in November, marking the end of the main harvest period.
Nguyen Thanh, a trader based in the Dong Thap Province of the Mekong Delta region, has reported challenges in obtaining a sizable quantity of durians, despite repeated offers of higher prices.
The country’s primary durian supply comes from the off-season crop harvested in the Mekong Delta from November to March. However, farmers have reported lower harvests this year, which is impacting supply.
A farmer by the name of Cuong, who owns a durian orchard in Can Tho City, decided to forego the harvest this year after experiencing a drastic dip in prices during last year’s Tet preparation. He is instead nurturing his trees for the main harvest season in April.
Dien, a farmer from Dong Thap Province, expressed that many growers have opted out of the off-season crop this year due to unpredictable weather patterns, which have increased costs while simultaneously reducing yields. Despite a 30% decrease in output compared to last year, Dien managed to sell around 200 kilograms of fruit at VND130,000 per kilogram.
According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, several delta orchards were severely affected by floods a few months ago and are still in recovery. High export demand is also contributing to the strain on supply.
Last year, durian exports were valued at $3.86 billion, marking a 20% increase from the previous year, as per customs data.
Why have durian prices increased?
Durian prices have increased due to a reduced supply caused by lower harvests, the damaging effects of recent floods, and high export demand.
How are farmers responding to the increase in durian prices?
Some farmers, despite the high prices, have decided to skip the off-season harvest this year due to reduced yields and increased costs caused by unpredictable weather.
What factors affected the durian supply?
The durian supply was negatively affected by disruptive weather patterns, floods that damaged several orchards, and high export demand, which strained the already limited supply.
