In Vinh Long, the price of durian is at an all-time high. Some farmers grow 5 hectares and make a profit of 1.5 billion.

High profits from durian

According to the Vinh Long province agricultural sector, Vietnamese durian has been exported to more than 20 countries, of which the main market is still China.

Because it is the beginning of the season and the export output is favorable, especially to the Chinese market, the price of durian has been pushed up to a high level.

According to many durian growers, for over a week now traders have been coming to the gardens to buy durian at prices ranging from 100,000-120,000 VND/kg (for the popular variety Ri6), depending on the quality and size of the fruit.

This is the highest price in many years. With an average durian yield of 3-3.5 tons of fruit per hectare, after deducting all costs, gardeners earn high profits.

At Dai Islet in Vung Liem District - known as the "capital" of durian in Vinh Long Province, many gardeners have proactively implemented measures to cope with saltwater intrusion to protect durian gardens for the desired yield.

With nearly 5 hectares of durian, Mr. Nguyen Van Ba (Thanh Binh commune, Vung Liem district, Vinh Long province) excitedly said: "This durian crop of mine has a yield of 3-3.5 tons/hectare. With the price fluctuating between 100,000-115,000 VND/kg, after deducting all expenses, I estimate the remaining profit to be over 300 million VND/hectare. The price of durian has never been as good as it is now."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh (My Thanh Trung commune, Tam Binh district) also happily said: "I have nearly 4 hectares of durian growing, traders come to the garden to harvest at the price of 110,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses I still have a lot of profit. Durian has now become a common joy for gardeners."

Many gardeners also said that at this time, due to the influence of hot weather, drought and pests, many durian gardens have burnt leaves and decreased productivity.

However, thanks to the higher price of durian this year than previous years, gardeners still have a good profit. In addition to the favorable official export market to China, many durian buyers said that durian prices are stable at a high level because the supply is low and durian is in high demand.

Durian is in high demand so most of the output is purchased for export. Therefore, the retail price of durian in the markets is also high.

Specifically, Ri 6 durian is currently selling for 140,000-150,000 VND/kg and durian meat ranges from 250,000-450,000 VND/kg, depending on quality.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen, a trader at Vinh Long market, said: “This year, durian prices are higher than previous years. Grade 1 durian purchased at the garden is 120,000 VND/kg, while grades 2 and 3 are from 80,000-100,000 VND/kg, 40,000-50,000 VND/kg higher than previous years.

However, there are not many durians at the market because traders collect them for export. I sell 50-70 fruits every day, but the high price makes retail sales slow.”

Need to ensure quality, meet export requirements

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), the whole Vinh Long province has over 4,000 hectares of durian growing area. Of which, over 3,900 hectares of durian are bearing fruit and have begun the harvest season.

Currently, it is the beginning of the season and from around May to June, durian enters the peak harvest season. The reason for the increase in durian prices is that the official export market has become more favorable, at the same time, it is the peak of the hot season, the output is not much, the supply is low while the demand is high, so the price of durian is high.

Recently, the provincial agricultural sector has coordinated with relevant functional sectors to urgently promote necessary procedures to establish records to be granted packaging facility codes and growing area codes for official fruit exports to the Chinese market as well as several other countries.

Special attention is paid to building growing area codes and packing facility codes to serve the official export of durian.

As of March 2024, the whole province has 20 export growing area codes with an area of over 500 hectares and 17 domestic growing area codes with an area of nearly 300 hectares.

According to the functional sector, with the current price of durian, gardeners earn large profits. However, the agricultural sector of Vinh Long province recommends that gardeners do not break the supply chain because of the high price of durian, cooperate with businesses and cooperatives to consume, affecting the quality, consumption market, especially the official durian export market.

At the same time, farmers should not expand durian acreage, especially in areas with terrain unsuitable for growing this tree.

Instead, it is necessary to focus on improving the quality of commercial durian, meeting the requirements and standards for official durian export.

Vietnamese durian has an advantage in the Chinese market. To take full advantage of this market opportunity, people need to focus on improving the quality and design of their products to continue expanding the market.

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