Mainly sold online
Browsing Facebook or TikTok recently, people easily come across advertisements and eye-catching images of thin-skinned durian, which is quite small compared to Monthong durian, even smaller than Vietnam's Ri6 durian. According to the introduction of online shops, this is the Fumani durian variety imported from Thailand. With each fruit weighing only about 1 kg, the image of plump, golden durian segments has made many durian "fans" quickly pay to order Thai mini durians to enjoy.
Mini Thai durian is being sold popularly on social networks.
Importing mini Thai durians since the beginning of the month and selling them for more than 2 weeks now, Ms. Hong Uyen, residing in District 8 (HCMC), said: "I specialize in selling fruits, so each season has its own fruit, and when Thai durians are in season, I just import them to sell. Mini durians are packed in boxes of 20 fruits/box, I sell them wholesale for 1.9 million VND, and consume 50 - 150 kg per day, which is about 99,000 VND/fruit. If I sell each fruit individually, the price will be higher depending on the seller."
According to the Binh Dien Wholesale Market Management Board, mini Thai durians are also imported to the market, but in small, insignificant quantities. The Thu Duc Wholesale Market Management Board said that traders in the market do not sell this type of Thai durian, so it is not widely sold in traditional markets, but mainly sold in online markets and small retail outlets.
Ms. Hoai Thu, who is selling mini Thai durian on her fanpage, shared: "Mini Thai durian has appeared in the Vietnamese market for quite a while. A few years ago, the price was high, but this year the price has dropped sharply, the wholesale price is only about 42,000 VND/kg, the lowest price ever. Currently, I sell retail for only 65,000 VND/kg, some other shop owners sell at the same price of 155,000 VND/fruit. There are still customers consuming it, but I don't dare to import more."
In addition to mini ripe durian, many businesses also import canned and frozen Fumani durian for sale. According to the introduction, naturally ripened Fumani durian is separated from the farm and transferred to the company for freezing using advanced technology to preserve its flavor. With this product, after purchasing and defrosting, it is fatty, sweet, and cool like fresh cream or using an air fryer to prepare a fragrant, sweet, and fatty grilled durian dish. However, the distribution price listed by some importers is 400,000 VND/box (400 gr), more than 1 million VND/kg, so it is quite picky about buyers.
Just diversify the market, no worries
The cheap price of Thai mini durian, advertised as delicious and eye-catching, is making many people worry that domestic durian will be under pressure due to its high price. However, speaking with Thanh Nien , an officer in charge of managing the fruit industry at Binh Dien wholesale market commented: "I have bought Thai mini durian twice to eat. Once I bought two fruits of about 1.5 kg, because I knew them, I got a discount of 350,000 VND. When I brought them home, one was damaged, and the other only had two segments. The taste is not as good as Monthong or Ri6 durian, and the segments are quite small. In general, only those who are curious buy them to eat, but when compared to Vietnamese durian, it is not as good, both in quality and price. Not to mention that many people who buy online are fooled by eye-catching images, "advertising a goat's head but selling dog meat", so many people only buy once and then say goodbye."
Mini durian has very small segments but many online buyers are deceived by the visual illusion.
Sharing the same opinion, Mr. Nguyen Van Muoi, representative of the southern part of the Vietnam Gardening Association, is also optimistic: "Talking about durian, just look at the large segment, whichever type consumers prefer, farmers will grow that type. Thai Fumani durian has appeared on the Vietnamese market for several years now, at first many people were curious to try it, but it did not attract attention, so until now garden owners only choose Thai durian (Monthong) or Ri6 to grow, but few people choose Fumani for large-scale production. I think that Fumani durian or mini Thai durian products are just to diversify the market and are not a concern when compared to the price of Vietnamese durian".
According to a survey by Thanh Nien reporters, the current domestic durian price, although low compared to the beginning of the year, is relatively stable. Currently, the price of Ri6 durian in the Southwest region for the best quality remains stable at around 85,000 - 88,000 VND/kg. Ri6 durian in buckets has also remained unchanged, currently being purchased at around 70,000 - 88,000 VND/kg. For Thai durian, the bucket purchase price is at 93,000 - 95,000 VND/kg. In the Southeast provinces and the Central Highlands region, durian in buckets is at 85,000 - 90,000 VND/kg.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, analyzed: "Thai durian, like many countries in the region, is affected by the El Nino drought, which has greatly affected the quality and output. This year's durian crop in Thailand has few flowers, many fruits have fallen, and the weight of the fruit has also decreased. Thailand has also adjusted its durian export plan, accordingly, it is forecast that the export output will decrease by 200,000 tons, equivalent to a 20% decrease compared to 2023, and the country's durian export turnover is also expected to reach only 3.5 billion USD instead of 4.5 billion USD as last year.
Therefore, a large amount of durian that does not meet export standards is illegally transported to some neighboring countries, including Vietnam, for consumption. Compared to Vietnamese durian, the quality of Thai durian and Fumani durian is not as good, but because of the cheap price and exaggerated advertising, there are still buyers. From a competitive perspective, I affirm that Thai durian does not dominate nor affect domestic production and consumption. The most obvious thing is that in the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam's durian export turnover increased by 30% and by May 2024, the turnover still increased by 25%".
According to Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, the price of durian in the country has recently decreased because it is the peak harvest season in other countries, but growers still make a profit. "When the drought lasts, many people worry that durian exports will be affected, but I believe that this year's durian export turnover will definitely reach 3 billion USD," Mr. Nguyen affirmed.
Durian exports could reach 3.5 billion USD
The area of durian cultivation in Vietnam is increasing, the drought-affected areas are mainly in the Southwest region after the harvest season, while the durian season in the Southeast and Central Highlands is still going on normally. However, even if the output decreases, the selling price will increase to compensate, so the durian export turnover will reach 3 billion USD, and if China opens the door early for frozen durian, the turnover could reach 3.5 billion USD, equal to the expected figure of Thailand this year.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen , General Secretary of Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sau-rieng-thai-mini-tran-vao-noi-dia-co-dang-ngai-185240524183732371.htm
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