A survey of traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City reveals an influx of fresh Thai dates this year, leading to a significant price drop.
At an imported fruit stall in Xom Moi Market, An Hoi Dong Ward, fresh dates are being sold for only 90,000 VND per kilogram. According to the vendor, these dates are from Thailand, and the current price represents a 50% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Previously, imported fresh dates typically cost between 200,000 and 300,000 VND per kilogram, sometimes reaching as high as 700,000 VND. The current price is unprecedented.
At Pham Van Hai and Tan Dinh markets in Ho Chi Minh City, fresh dates are also being sold at their lowest prices ever. Oanh, a vendor at Pham Van Hai Market, said that in previous years, the high price of this fruit deterred her from stocking it due to concerns about low customer demand.
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Fresh dates sold at Thu Duc Agricultural Wholesale Market. Photo: Linh Dan |
Fresh dates sold at Thu Duc Agricultural Wholesale Market. Photo: Linh Dan
Loan, a vendor at Tan Dinh Market, echoed this sentiment. She noted that not only Thai dates but also Indian dates have seen price reductions. Indian dates are currently selling for between 250,000 and 300,000 VND per kilogram. The lower price of Thai dates is attributed to increased cultivation and higher yields. Moreover, Thai dates have a slightly tart flavor, unlike the sweetness of Indian dates, further contributing to their lower price.
This year, vendors report numerous suppliers offering attractive prices. Compared to other imported fruits like American grapes, Australian cherries, or New Zealand apples, fresh Thai dates are now much more competitive, expanding their customer base from the premium segment to everyday consumers.
Retailers predict that the low price of Thai dates will likely persist until the end of the harvest season, with a potential slight increase as supply dwindles.
Online, these dates are being offered at various prices, averaging around 850,000 VND for a 13-kilogram box, which translates to approximately 79,000 VND per kilogram.
Representatives from Thu Duc and Hoc Mon agricultural wholesale markets confirm that while dates were scarce in previous years, Thai dates are more abundant this year. Additionally, some regions in Vietnam are now cultivating dates, contributing to the price decrease. At the wholesale markets, a 6-kilogram box sells for 500,000 to 560,000 VND, or 83,000 to 93,000 VND per kilogram. Some vendors are even clearing out their stock at below 80,000 VND per kilogram.
The date palm, scientifically known as Phoenix dactylifera, belongs to the palm family. There are hundreds of varieties cultivated worldwide. Originating in the Middle East and North Africa, date palms are widely grown in the Middle East, Arab countries, India, and Israel. From there, they have spread globally.
Date palms typically reach heights of 15 to 25 meters, similar to coconut palms. Their leaves resemble coconut leaves, but the leaf stalks have sharp spines. Date fruits are oval-shaped, green when unripe, turning yellow as they mature, and finally dark brown when fully ripe, with a slightly tart taste. Ripe dates have a pleasant aroma and are rich in sugar. They can be consumed fresh or dried.
Thi Ha
