Off-season durian prices have increased sharply.
On the domestic market, durian prices today, November 8th, remain high for export-grade durian due to scarce supply. Off-season durian prices for export-grade durian are also high, reaching over 190,000 VND/kg as the off-season harvest begins in the Mekong Delta provinces.
As of November 8th, durian prices in Tien Giang province continued to rise compared to previous days. In the Cai Lay area, many agricultural product wholesalers were purchasing Grade A Monthong (Thai) durian at prices ranging from 190,000 to 195,000 VND/kg (2.7 compartments, 1.9 to 5.2 kg), while Grade B durian was priced at 170,000 to 175,000 VND/kg (2.5 compartments, 1.7 to 5.6 kg). Grade A Ri 6 durian was priced at 130,000 to 140,000 VND/kg (2.7 compartments, 1.9 to 5 kg), and Grade B durian at approximately 115,000 VND/kg (2.5 compartments, 1.7 to 5.5 kg). It was noted that Thai durian prices have increased most sharply in recent days.
Typically, around April or May each year, farmers begin staggered planting, and durian orchards are ready for harvest from November onwards. At this time, durian prices are high, and farmers reap substantial profits.
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| Due to limited supply, the price of off-season durian continues to rise, reaching up to 160,000 VND/kg. |
According to cooperatives in Cai Lay town, Tien Giang province, farmers in the area are entering the beginning of the durian harvest season. Currently, traders are buying high-quality Ri 6 durians directly from the orchards at prices ranging from 135,000 to 140,000 VND/kg, while Thai durians are priced at over 160,000 VND/kg.
In Cai Be district, Tien Giang province, following the general trend, durian prices have continued to rise in recent days. According to the Cai Be District People's Committee, the district has over 9,000 hectares of durian, of which the area currently bearing fruit accounts for about 55% - 60%.
Currently, the price of Ri 6 durian in the area is around 137,000 VND/kg, while Thai durian is around 165,000 VND/kg. Durian is in high demand due to crop failure this year. Many durian orchards have experienced flower and fruit drop due to the weather. Due to limited supply, durian prices are trending upwards.
Currently, the durian season in Dak Lak has ended, with only a few large orchards remaining in the Lam Dong area.
Furthermore, the supply of off-season durian in the Mekong Delta provinces is still limited, resulting in a supply shortage compared to demand. This is also a reason why durian prices are higher than during the peak harvest season.
The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association also predicts that durian prices will continue to remain high, even during the harvest season in the Mekong Delta provinces.
The reason is that Thailand's durian season is over, and Vietnamese durian will have the sole market share in China this year-end, as Chinese consumers increase their purchases for gifts during holidays and festivals.
Many markets are increasing imports of Vietnamese durian.
According to data from the General Department of Customs, in the first nine months of 2024, durian exports reached over $2.8 billion, a 63% increase compared to the same period in 2023, the highest level ever recorded.
Among the top 10 importing markets for Vietnamese durian, many recorded strong growth. China led with a turnover of $2.6 billion, accounting for 92% of total durian exports, a 65% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Thailand ranked second with $133 million, an 85% increase, and Hong Kong (China) took third place with $23 million, a 17% increase.
Other markets such as Papua New Guinea, Taiwan (China), Japan, South Korea, and Cambodia also saw increases ranging from 22% to 16 times compared to last year, with Papua New Guinea and Cambodia experiencing the strongest growth, increasing 2.6 and 16 times respectively.
According to businesses, the sharp increase in durian exports is due to improved product quality, competitive prices, and shorter shipping times to China. In addition, Thailand's durian production decreased by 18% (affected by the El Niño phenomenon and a prolonged heatwave), causing importers from China and other countries to shift their supply to Vietnam.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that Thailand faced difficulties during the harvest season due to water shortages, resulting in low yields and a price increase of about 22%, while farmers' incomes only increased slightly by 0.3% due to high costs.
Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen also stated that durian is a fruit that has yielded surprisingly positive export results. Although the main durian season in the Central Highlands ends in October, Vietnam still has off-season durian thanks to farmers' good staggered harvesting techniques. It is highly likely that durian export revenue this year could reach $3.5 billion – a figure rarely achieved by other fruits.
Experts predict that by 2025, the Chinese durian market could reach $20 billion, and the global market $28.6 billion. The demand for durian in the Chinese market is enormous; even all durian exporting countries in Southeast Asia combined still cannot meet this market demand. Meanwhile, compared to other countries in the region, Vietnamese durian exports to China have many competitive advantages in terms of logistics and quality. Therefore, there is still significant room for increasing durian exports.
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