'King of Fruits' Price Falls Dramatically: Behind the Facts of Durian Growing in Every Household

"Currently, every household grows durian, but there is a lack of planning for growing areas and a lack of connection with purchasing businesses. In particular, there is a lack of information about the export market. Many people see the price going up and plant massively, but when it comes time to harvest, there is a backlog and a drop in prices, which is inevitable," said Mr. Luu Hoang Tuan - Director of Bao Thi Agricultural Products Company Limited.

Tighten agricultural materials

According to Mr. Luu Hoang Tuan - Director of Bao Thi Agricultural Products Company Limited in Da Huoai district, Lam Dong , the main reason why durian prices have dropped dramatically, even being sold on sidewalks like in the West recently, is due to the imbalance between supply and demand.

"Currently, every household grows durian, but there is a lack of planning for growing areas and a lack of connection with purchasing businesses. In particular, there is a lack of information about the export market. Many people see the price going up and plant massively, but when it comes time to harvest, there is a backlog and the price drops, which is inevitable," Mr. Tuan shared.

According to Mr. Tuan, over-reliance on the Chinese market is also a risk. If that market tightens its standards or temporarily suspends imports, Vietnamese durian will immediately be flooded with goods, as has happened with many other fruits.

To avoid this situation from recurring in the Central Highlands, Mr. Tuan proposed a number of solutions, such as: Re-planning the growing areas in a sustainable manner, with seasonal distribution to avoid rush harvesting; encouraging farmers to join cooperatives to create large raw material areas, making it easier to sign consumption contracts with businesses. Farmers need to promote post-harvest processing and seek new markets outside of China.

In 2024, Lam Dong durian export output will reach 25,518 tons.

Mr. Tuan also recommended that authorities should tighten the management of agricultural supply stores, especially inspect and strictly handle places that sell pesticides containing banned substances.

"A few days ago, my company exported the first two containers of durian (about 35 tons) of this year's crop to the Chinese market. However, this shipment was still imported because of the quality assurance there," said Mr. Tuan, adding that in June and July, Lam Dong durian officially enters its main season, of which Ri6 durian is about 20 days old, and Thai durian is 10 days later.

Training classes needed

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son - Director of Da M'ri Agricultural Cooperative in Da Huoai District - shared that every year Da Huoai District organizes dozens of training courses on durian growing techniques for farmers. The training content focuses on the cultivation process according to VietGAP standards, the proper use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as updating information on the market and requirements from export enterprises.

Many people in Da Huoai district participated in the training.

“Many people participated because everyone clearly saw that if they did it right, the plants would be healthy, the fruit would be beautiful, and the selling price would be higher. I myself also learned how to use high technology such as drip irrigation, automatic fertilization... to save costs and labor,” Mr. Son shared, adding that thanks to the training courses, people changed their farming mindset, from working based on experience to working based on technique.

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Lam Dong province (formerly, now the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong), by the end of 2024, the total durian area in the province will reach 25,610 hectares. The province has issued 114 durian growing area codes with a total area of ​​5,489.13 hectares and 10 durian packing facility codes with a total factory area of ​​13,419 square meters.

In the period of 2023-2024, Lam Dong province has monitored 116 durian growing areas and packaging facilities; collected 759 samples for pest identification, analyzed pesticide residues, heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The results showed that 11 durian samples were infected with mealybugs, 6 samples were infected with Cd at a very low level of 0.020-0.024 mg/kg compared to the maximum limit in China (maximum allowable limit of 0.05 mg/kg).

In 2024, Lam Dong durian export output will reach 25,518 tons, with a total durian export turnover of about 104.15 million USD, an increase of 2.72 million USD compared to 2023. Of which, fresh durian exports will reach 20,214 tons and frozen peeled durian will reach 1,326 tons.

According to Thai Lam (TPO)

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/vua-trai-cay-rot-gia-tham-dang-sau-viec-nha-nha-nguoi-nguoi-trong-sau-rieng-post322291.html