Farmers' profits drop as durian prices plummet

Many durian growers in the main durian growing areas in Can Tho City such as Phong Dien, Thoi Lai, O Mon, etc. have begun the fruit harvest season. This year, many durian gardens have produced quite high fruit yields, but farmers have not made much profit because durian prices have dropped to their lowest level in many months. Farmers are hoping that durian prices will recover soon so that they can sell durian at a better price.

Traders buy Ri6 durian from farmers in Nhon Ai commune, Phong Dien district, Can Tho city.

Price drop

In March 2025, the price of Ri6 durian and cowshed durian was sold by many farmers in Can Tho City at the garden to traders at 60,000-70,000 VND/kg. However, by April 22, 2025, the price of Ri6 durian and cowshed durian sold by many farmers to traders was only 29,000-45,000 VND/kg, depending on the type. Meanwhile, Monthong and Musaking durians were priced at 110,000-120,000 VND/kg, now down to about 80,000-90,000 VND/kg. This is the lowest price in many months. Compared to the same period in 2024, the current price of many types of durian is at least 25,000-30,000 VND/kg lower.

Due to the sharp drop in durian prices, the profits from durian gardens of many farmers have decreased significantly compared to last year, although the durian yield and output are still good. Although some durians are harvested early before the main harvest season and the output is still quite favorable, the selling price is not as high as expected, so most farmers are not happy. In addition, due to the unfavorable weather this year, there are cases where farmers have treated durians to produce fruit out of season and fruit early but late compared to last year and have to increase investment costs, making it even more difficult to make a profit.

Ms. Phan Thi My Linh in Nhon Tho 2 Hamlet, Nhon Ai Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho City, has 10 hectares of durian garden that is 7 years old, said: "This year, my 10 hectares of durian yielded about 15 tons of fruit, an increase of 5 tons compared to last year, but the selling price was low, with the bulk price at the garden being only 45,000 VND/kg, minus the invested costs, I only made a profit of about 400 million VND, much lower than last year. In 2024, my 10 hectares of durian will yield fruit earlier than this year, with a yield of 10 tons and sold for up to 105,000 VND/kg, I will make a profit of nearly 700 million VND". Mr. Le Van Truc in Nhon Tho 1 Hamlet, Nhon Ai Commune, Phong Dien District, said: “Last year, Ri6 durian was sold in bulk at the garden to traders at 68,000 VND/kg, but now the selling price is only 34,000 VND/kg. At this price, even though my 7-hectare durian garden has a yield of 10 tons, I can only earn about 300 million VND in profit. Last year, the durian trees were still young, I only harvested 7 tons of fruit but could earn up to 550 million VND thanks to the high selling price.”

Expect more favorable exports

Entering the main harvest season, the amount of durian harvested is still small but the price has dropped sharply. Many farmers are worried about the output price of durian when the harvest season comes, especially those households that currently have small durians that have not reached the harvest age. The decrease in durian prices is mainly due to the impact of slow export output, so farmers are looking forward to more favorable export activities in the future to create conditions to increase selling prices.

Mr. Huynh Van Tien in Truong Trung A hamlet, Tan Thoi commune, Phong Dien district, said: “My Ri6 durian and that of many local people are being sold to traders at a reduced price of 30,000-45,000 VND/kg, depending on whether the fruit is bad or good. I heard that the price of durian has dropped sharply recently because export has been slow and difficult compared to before, especially when the main export market, China, tightened control over imported durian and strictly inspected the substances O and Cadmium. Farmers really hope that export output will soon be more favorable so that durian can be sold at a better price than now”. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Bay in Nhon Ai commune, Phong Dien district, she recently harvested 4 hectares of durian that were treated to produce fruit early, with an output of only 2 tons and sold for 29,000 VND/kg, which means she only broke even on the investment and did not make a profit. Currently, she still has some durian areas with small fruits that have not yet been harvested, so she really hopes that the price will increase again so she can make a profit.

Durian is currently the fruit tree with the largest growing area in Can Tho City. The entire city currently has 26,100 hectares of fruit trees of all kinds, of which 6,991 hectares are planted with durian. Durian trees are grown in many districts of the city, such as Phong Dien, Thoi Lai, Co Do, O Mon, Thot Not... Of which, Phong Dien is currently the locality with the largest durian growing area in the city, with more than 4,464 hectares. Durian grown in Can Tho City is highly appreciated by many consumers for its quality, because the fruit has a beautiful, bright color, is delicious and is not hard, especially for the Ri6 flat-seeded durian variety. Durian in Can Tho is purchased by many small traders and businesses for consumption in many provinces and cities in the country and for export. Currently, many durian gardens in Can Tho City are still in the stage of growing small fruits or have large fruits but have not yet reached the stage of maturity and ripeness for harvest. It is expected that in the coming weeks, many new durian gardens will enter the peak harvest season. Farmers are hoping that durian prices will soon recover to a better level.

Article and photos: KHANH TRUNG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nong-dan-giam-loi-nhuan-vi-gia-sau-rieng-giam-manh-a185875.html