Dragon fruit prices plummet, causing losses for farmers in the Mekong Delta.

Recently, dragon fruit prices in Dong Thap province have consistently remained low. Meanwhile, the costs of off-season cultivation and the purchase of fertilizers and pesticides have increased, causing many farmers to suffer losses.

Dong Thap province currently has about 8,500 hectares of dragon fruit. Recently, due to low dragon fruit prices, many farmers have suffered losses. - Photo: MAU TRUONG

According to reports, the price of red-fleshed dragon fruit is expected to rise again after the Lunar New Year in 2026, following a drop at the end of 2025, but this increase is unlikely to last long.

The period when red-fleshed dragon fruit prices were highest this year lasted only about half a month right after Tet (Lunar New Year), with traders buying at around 22,000 - 23,000 VND/kg (grade 3), 16,000 - 17,000 VND/kg (grade 4), and about 20,000 VND/kg for the lower grades.

However, prices subsequently dropped sharply and have remained low until now, currently only around 15,000 VND/kg (grade 3) and 9,000-10,000 VND/kg (grade 4), leaving farmers with virtually no profit, or even losses.

According to Ms. Nguyen Hanh Hoa's family (Tan Thuan Binh commune), their 4,000-square-meter dragon fruit garden yielded over 2 tons this year, which they sold in bulk at only 12,000 VND/kg.

"This price is 7,000 dong per kilogram lower than last year. This crop is considered a loss because the cost of fertilizer and pesticides has increased significantly in the past few months," Ms. Hoa said.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghia, a dragon fruit trader in Tan Thuan Binh commune, the price of red-fleshed dragon fruit remains low. Accordingly, bulk dragon fruit is priced at 12,000 - 12,500 VND/kg. If farmers sell by selection, grade 3 dragon fruit is priced at 15,000 VND/kg, and grade 4 at 9,000 - 10,000 VND/kg.

Similarly, white-fleshed dragon fruit is also at a very low price. Currently, it ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 VND/kg for bulk produce. According to farmers, this price is much lower than in previous years, while the price of fertilizers and pesticides is increasing, resulting in losses for dragon fruit growers in Dong Thap province.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Thap province, the total area of ​​dragon fruit cultivation in the province is currently about 8,500 hectares, with a production of more than 300,000 tons per year.

Dragon fruit is grown intensively in communes such as Tan Thuan Binh, Luong Hoa Lac, An Thanh Thuy, My Tinh An, Dong Son, etc. In May and June 2026, the dragon fruit harvest was estimated at around 55,000 tons.

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MAU TRUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thanh-long-rot-gia-nha-vuon-mien-tay-thua-lo-20260519160535828.htm