In just 2 years, the most expensive Vietnamese fruit has become a popular product sold in the market.

Two years ago, durian was the most expensive fruit in Vietnam, costing nearly 500,000 VND/kg. But now, this fruit has become affordable and is sold in many Vietnamese markets.

Carrying a bag durian With 4kg in hand, just bought for 240,000 VND, or only 60,000 VND/kg, Ms. Bui Thi My in Pham Van Dong (Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi ) said that this was the third time this month she ordered custard apples to eat. This year, custard apples are sweet, have a lot of meat, and the price is very cheap compared to previous years.

Recalling this time in 2022, because she was so fascinated by the giant custard apples with the fragrant smell of durian, Ms. My spent 500,000 VND to buy 1kg. At that time, for a 2kg fruit, she had to spend a million VND - a super expensive price compared to other fruits in Vietnam.

“Among Vietnamese fruits, durian custard apple was the most expensive at that time,” she commented. Now, the price of custard apple is quite affordable, sold in many markets, so it is very easy to buy.

Durian used to cost up to half a million VND/kg, but now it has become a common product. Photo: NVCC

Having just collected orders for the first durian custard apple shipment of the season to sell, Ms. Vu Huyen in Cau Giay (Hanoi) said that the amount of orders from customers has reached more than 80kg. The custard apples will still be firm when they arrive at the store tomorrow, so she will divide the orders to pay customers.

“This year, custard apples are very cheap. At the beginning of the season, the retail price is only 60,000-65,000 VND/kg for 400-700 grams/fruit,” she said. Meanwhile, last year, she imported the same custard apple with the fragrant smell of durian and sold it for 150,000 VND/kg. When it first appeared on the market, custard apples were very expensive, up to 500,000 VND/kg.

According to Ms. Huyen, the supply of durian custard apple has increased sharply, while many consumers still do not know about this special fruit. Therefore, the price of custard apple has decreased sharply compared to previous years.

Because the price is quite cheap compared to previous years, instead of selling separately by weight, Ms. Huyen sells in sets of 2kg or 4kg.

Ms. Le Thi Hoa - manager of a fruit store chain in Hanoi - admitted that, in terms of price, durian custard apple used to be the most expensive Vietnamese fruit, but now it has become a common commodity.

At the fruit store chain that Ms. Hoa is managing, this time they started importing durian custard apples to sell. This type of custard apple has the characteristics of a super large fruit, thin skin but has soft thorns that look quite similar to durian. The custard apple flesh inside is very white and chewy, has few seeds, has the aroma of durian and a rich sweet taste.

Two years ago, the store imported custard apples to sell at 450,000-500,000 VND/kg depending on the type. At that time, the product was scarce, so customers had to order a few days in advance.

On this occasion, custard apples have just begun to be harvested, and the goods arriving in Hanoi are sold to customers at only 75,000 VND/kg for sizes from 500-800 grams/fruit. The store has imported 3 shipments, each shipment carrying about 1 ton of goods.

"During the main season, supply will increase and prices will probably be much cheaper," Ms. Hoa predicted.

Custard apples are being sold in all markets. Photo: NVCC

Talking to VietNamNet, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tu, Director of Me Lech Cooperative (Mai Son, Son La ), said that the price of durian is getting cheaper and cheaper because of the abundant supply. This is a general rule of the market.

Mé Lếch Cooperative is the earliest unit to grow durian custard-apple in our country. Mr. Tu said that this custard-apple variety was grafted by the Cooperative in collaboration with a business specializing in imported vegetable and fruit varieties from Taiwan with the local custard-apple variety. After 8 months of grafting, the durian custard-apple grown according to organic standards has produced its first fruits.

This type of custard apple, when ripe, weighs 0.4-2.5 kg/fruit. Custard apples are harvested from the beginning of August until Lunar New Year.

In 2021, the cooperative's durian custard apples began to bear fruit. By 2022, the cooperative had 20 hectares of durian custard apples, with revenue reaching 14 billion VND because the selling price was very high at that time. As soon as the custard apples were harvested, they were all bought by regular customers. On some days, the supply was not enough to meet demand.

This year, the durian custard apple area of the Melech Cooperative has increased to 100 hectares. The estimated yield is 20 tons/hectare, Mr. Tu shared.

Currently, the price of durian custard apple grade 1, size 1-2 kg/fruit, sold at the garden is 80,000-90,000 VND/kg, the price of grade 2, size 400-700 grams/fruit, wholesale price ranges from 40,000-50,000 VND/kg. According to him, this price has decreased by half compared to last year's crop.

“In about a month, durian custard apples will be in the main harvest season,” added the director of the Me Lech Cooperative. At that time, custard apples will be distributed more to stores, supermarket chains and wholesale markets in Hanoi.

In the mountainous district of Mai Son, not only the Me Lech Cooperative but also farmers in the region have expanded the area of durian custard apple cultivation. Because this custard apple variety has high productivity. A mature custard apple garden will yield 20 tons/ha.

If the average price is 60,000 VND/kg, 1 hectare will bring in 1.2 billion VND, a huge profit compared to growing other types of custard apples, Mr. Tu shared.

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