The market has observed a 40% decrease in the price of Black Thorn durian, Vietnam's premium durian variety, now priced at VND300,000 (US$11.80) per kilogram due to an abundant supply. Originating from Malaysia, this variety is cultivated in Vietnam's Central Highlands and Mekong Delta, regions known for their conducive conditions for high-quality durian production.
A case in point is Thuc, a cultivator from Ben Tre province, who experienced a significant drop in revenue, selling a four-kilogram durian for VND1.2 million, down from VND2 million the previous year. This trend of declining prices is consistent across the province, impacting numerous farmers. Retail prices in Ho Chi Minh City have also dipped to VND350,000-450,000 per kilogram, a 30% reduction from last year.
Manh Khuong, a local trader, attributes the price decline to the surge in Black Thorn supply, coinciding with the harvest seasons of Vietnam's native Ri6 and Thailand's Monthong durians. Despite being cultivated on a relatively small scale, with orchards typically housing around 20 trees, the Black Thorn durian cultivated in Vietnam is reputed to match the quality of its Malaysian origin. Notably, this variety begins to bear fruit in its third year, a quicker timeframe compared to other durians.
Source: e.vnexpress.net