Another avocado crop failure, resulting in low prices.

Currently, Lam Dong province is entering the avocado harvest season. However, instead of enjoying the fruits of their labor, many farmers are saddened by this year's poor avocado crop and low prices.

Avocado growers in the province are worried because this year's avocado crop is poor and prices are low.

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bao Lam district – a major avocado growing area in Lam Dong province – by the end of 2024, the district had 1,256 hectares of avocado trees, mostly of the 034 and Booth varieties; the estimated avocado yield was 130 quintals/hectare; and the total avocado production reached 13,500 tons. A quick survey in the localities indicates that avocado yield and production this year will decrease by 20-30% compared to 2024. The reasons include continuous rain during the flowering period, frost damage in many areas, resulting in a low fruit set rate. Furthermore, avocado prices have continuously decreased over the past 2-3 years, eroding farmers' economic expectations for this crop. Farmers have reduced investment costs, leading to a decline in the quality of their orchards.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong's family in Loc Ngai commune, Bao Lam district, currently cultivates over 1 hectare of 034 avocado. They reported that their avocado orchard only yielded about a dozen tons of fruit, a significant decrease compared to previous years. The reason is unfavorable weather conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds during the flowering period of the 034 avocado trees, resulting in low fruit set. However, Ms. Hong's family is most concerned about the continued low purchase price of 034 avocados this year, only 10,000-15,000 VND/kg at the farm, leaving farmers with almost no profit. Retail prices at fruit stores and outlets range from 25,000-30,000 VND/kg. According to Ms. Hong, the price drop is mainly due to reduced market demand. Furthermore, while 034 avocados were previously only grown in Lam Dong province , they are now found in most provinces of the Central Highlands, with very large cultivation areas.

Meanwhile, in Lam Ha district, avocado yields have also dropped sharply. In 2015, recognizing the high economic efficiency of Booth avocado trees, Mr. Nguyen Quang Long's family in Hoai Duc commune, Lam Ha district, boldly invested tens of millions of VND to buy 200 saplings to plant intercropped in their coffee plantation on an area of ​​over 2 hectares. By 2018, the Booth avocado orchard had yielded tons of avocados, bringing in an income of over 200 million VND. However, this year's avocado harvest has seen a 30% decrease in yield and low prices, causing him great concern.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong province, the province currently has approximately 9,500 hectares of avocado plantations; of which, 6,600 hectares are currently producing fruit, with an average yield of 15 tons/season/hectare. The total annual avocado production is estimated at around 105,000 tons, with avocado variety 034 accounting for 80%, Booth avocado accounting for 10%, and other avocado varieties making up the remainder. In previous years, the province's avocado acreage increased sharply, but in the last two years, it has tended to decrease as farmers have begun to switch to other crops.

To boost agricultural product consumption and create more opportunities for farmers, the unit also collaborated with MM Mega Market and Bach Hoa Xanh supermarket chains to launch a week-long promotion of Lam Dong avocados in Ho Chi Minh City. During the week, two famous avocado varieties from Lam Dong – the waxy avocado and the Booth avocado – were discounted by up to 50%, priced at only 35,000 - 55,000 VND/kg. The event provided an opportunity for businesses and cooperatives involved in the production, processing, and trading of agricultural products in Lam Dong province to exchange information, discuss, and seek partners such as distributors, supermarket chains, and stores in Ho Chi Minh City to find solutions for building supply chains for high-quality agricultural products from Lam Dong province to the Ho Chi Minh City market.

This is one of the concrete actions aimed at promoting the consumption of agricultural products from the highlands in general and Lam Dong province in particular, which is currently facing many impacts from volatile prices and rising transportation costs. At the same time, it creates a foundation for linking and developing a comprehensive, sustainable, and modern agricultural sector. This is also an opportunity to connect with and promote Lam Dong province's agricultural products to a large number of people in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as domestic and international tourists.

On the other hand, authorities advise farmers not to rush into cutting down avocado orchards that are currently producing good quality fruit. Instead, they should consider improving and caring for their avocado orchards more carefully to ensure better yields and product quality.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202505/them-mot-vu-bo-mat-mua-mat-gia-ebc430f/