In Vietnam, grade 1 dragon fruit prices at the farm gate have reached VND45,000 per kilogram, marking a 50% increase from the previous year, against a backdrop of drought conditions affecting production levels. The price for grade 2 dragon fruit ranges between VND35,000 and VND40,000. Despite an overall profit range of VND250-400 million per hectare for farmers, a decrease in this year's yield by 20% compared to last year has led to reduced earnings, with one farmer from Binh Thuan reporting a profit of VND50 million from 2.5 tons of dragon fruit after expenses.
Ho Nam, a local trader, highlighted the imbalance between demand and supply as a key factor driving up prices, with his daily purchases dropping to one to two tons from the previous three to four tons. The adverse weather conditions have significantly impacted production, with a 20-30% reduction in output. Although prices have risen by VND10,000-15,000 per kilogram since February, they are expected to decrease with the onset of the main harvest season.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, attributed the price increase to heightened demand from China between December and May, and a shift in farming practices in Vietnam, with many farmers transitioning to other crops like durian and jackfruit in 2023 following a sharp decline in dragon fruit prices. Despite these challenges, dragon fruit exports in the first two months of the year saw nearly a 10% increase year-on-year, reaching $117 million, with China, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea as major markets.
[ VND10,000 = € 0.37 ]
Source: e.vnexpress.net