Prices for top-grade Monthong and Ri6 durians have surged to US$5.3 per kilogram, reflecting a supply decrease. The Central Highlands, a key production area, is concluding its harvest season, according to Hoang, a local durian merchant. The shortfall has forced traders to source durians from the Mekong Delta during the off-season, yet demand outpaces supply. "I used to be able to procure 10 tons a day, but now I can only find a ton or two," Hoang stated. Consequently, exporters are compelled to increase purchase prices and seek durians from western provinces.
In the Mekong Delta, adverse weather has postponed the off-season harvest, as reported by Hong, an orchard owner in Tien Giang province, leading to price hikes even for lower-grade Monthong durians. Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, anticipates further price increases in the coming months, driven by heightened demand from China, especially ahead of the year-end holidays and the Lunar New Year. This demand coincides with Vietnam's newly granted approval to export frozen durian to China. The Ministry of Industry and Trade notes an uptick in both domestic and international demand for fruits and vegetables, including durians, towards the year's end. In the first 10 months, fruit and vegetable exports have reached about $6.4 billion, with durians contributing significantly. Exports are projected to grow by 25% to $7 billion this year, with durians expected to account for $3.5 billion. Last year, Vietnam exported 500,000 tons of fresh durian, mainly to China, generating $2.3 billion. The country has 154,000 hectares dedicated to durian cultivation, yielding nearly 1.2 million tons annually.
Source: VNExpress