Since early April, durian prices have consistently dropped as supply rapidly increased, pushing prices for many varieties to multi-year lows. On some farms, bulk Ri6 durian is priced at 20,000-35,000 VND per kilogram, roughly half the price at the beginning of the year. Musang King also fell to 60,000-65,000 VND, while Monthong saw a milder decrease, hovering around 65,000-75,000 VND.

A similar trend is observed in warehouse purchasing. Ri6 grade A (2.7 compartments) is paid approximately 40,000 VND per kilogram, while grade B (2.5 compartments) is 28,000 VND. For Musang King, grade A prices are currently 80,000-85,000 VND, the lowest in two years. This sharp decline puts many farmers in a difficult position, despite this year's abundant yield.

Ri6 durian at a farm in the Mekong Delta. *Photo: Manh Khuong*

In Dong Thap, Ms. Xuan from Hiep Duc commune said her family has over one hectare of Ri6 durian ready for harvest, but the rapid price drop means almost no profit. Traders are currently offering only 35,000 VND per kilogram for grade A and 20,000 VND for bulk, lower-grade fruit, while fertilizer and care costs have sharply increased. According to her, this is the lowest price ever.

From a market perspective, Mr. Vo Tan Loi, Chairman of the Dong Thap Durian Association, stated that the price decline varies significantly among varieties. Monthong maintains better prices due to its suitability for Chinese consumer tastes, characterized by thick flesh, less fiber, and ease of preservation. Conversely, Ri6 and Musang King face disadvantages in terms of preservation and transport quality.

The production landscape also reveals bottlenecks. Dong Thap currently has over 20,000 hectares of durian, with an annual output of approximately 550,000 tons, but only about 10% is exported. The majority of this area is Ri6, which is consumed domestically at low prices, resulting in low added value and vulnerability to market fluctuations.

Pressure also stems from technical barriers. According to Mr. Loi, the issue of cadmium residue continues to impact sales, as some tested samples exceed permissible limits, making businesses cautious about purchasing. Mr. Loi noted that not all growing areas are affected, but apprehension has slowed transactions. The main cause is identified as the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil due to prolonged use of phosphate fertilizers, while soil remediation requires a long time.

From a broader perspective, Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, suggested that the current price decline is also influenced by regional harvest cycles. Thailand is in its peak harvest season during April-June, and its large output has also lowered prices there, consequently pulling down overall market prices. Meanwhile, domestic production remains fragmented, residue control is inconsistent, and it relies on a testing system that faces significant pressure during peak harvest season.

Nevertheless, the situation is expected to improve from mid-year. When the Eastern and Central Highlands regions enter their harvest season with a high proportion of Monthong variety, which is suitable for the export market, prices may recover. In fact, customs data shows that in Q1, durian exports reached nearly 222 million USD, a 128% increase year-on-year, continuing to drive growth in the fruit and vegetable sector. However, to sustain this momentum, fundamental solutions for quality and production organization are still needed.

Thi Ha