In Tien Giang, Vietnam, durian farmers are facing challenges despite a recent price surge, with the off-season harvest yielding significantly lower outputs than expected. The off-season, spanning from November to early next year, typically sees high activity in durian orchards across Cai Be district and Cai Lay town. However, this year's harvest has been markedly subdued.
Nguyen Van Dang, a local farmer, noted that despite durians fetching VND200,000 (US$7.9) per kilogram—double the usual rate—the yield has been disappointing. Many farmers, including Dang, who had prepared their durian trees for the off-season, encountered unexpected weather shifts that resulted in the loss of blossoms and, consequently, fruits.
Luong Van Han, another farmer, highlighted the stark contrast in harvest volumes compared to previous years, with his orchard producing only a fraction of the usual output. The cultivation of durian trees, which requires a substantial initial investment and five years to bear fruit, has made this year's poor harvest particularly distressing for growers.
The local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that only 30% of the off-season durian orchards in Cai Be produced fruits this year. Vo Van Men from the Tien Giang Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection attributed the dismal yield to extreme weather conditions, underscoring the challenges of durian cultivation in the region. In contrast, Pham Minh Tung, one of the few successful farmers this season, emphasized the importance of diligent orchard management and timely interventions during adverse weather conditions.
With Tien Giang being a major contributor to Vietnam's durian production, the recent struggles highlight the vulnerability of durian cultivation to climatic fluctuations. The province, along with Can Tho City and Dong Thap and Ben Tre provinces, plays a significant role in the country's durian industry, which boasts an annual production of approximately 330,000 tons from 33,000 hectares.
Source: VNExpress