30,000 VND/kg
These days, when walking along the gateway road to the center of Can Tho City, it is not difficult to see "food-for-eat durian" signs with prices from 30,000 VND - 40,000 VND. Meanwhile, durian rice is also only from 150,000 - 160,000 VND/kg.
A female gardener (residing in Phong Dien commune) selling durian on Nguyen Van Cu street - shared that weighing at the garden, the selling price is very low, so her family takes it out to the street to sell retail to passersby with the hope of earning a little extra profit.
Mr. Huynh Tuan Kiet (garden owner cum durian trader in Can Tho) - said that this year, the price of durian purchased at the garden in Phong Dien is about 30,000 VND/kg, which is "turning around".
Recorded on National Highway 1A, the section passing through Cai Be, Cai Lay (Dong Thap province), the price of Ri6 durian also fluctuates at 30,000 - 40,000 VND/kg. Notably, these are localities famous for quality durian varieties, bringing high income to gardeners.
The price surprised many consumers, because in previous years, main season durian retail in the Mekong Delta was at least 50,000 VND/kg.
Durian used to be a luxury, now it's only the price of ordinary fruit trees" - Mr. Pham Nhat Cuong (Ca Mau province) said.
Season of anxiety
Although consumers are excited about cheap durian, for gardeners and small traders, this is a season full of anxiety.
According to Mr. Kiet, after deducting fertilizer costs, pesticides and harvesting labor, farmers are almost unprofitable, even losing money for newly invested gardens.
Analysis from experts, the main reason for the durian price plummet is that the Mekong Delta is entering the peak harvest season. Moreover, the hot increase in durian planting area in recent years has led to record output this year.
In addition, exports to foreign markets are facing some difficulties in quality control procedures and preservative residues. The amount of goods that cannot be exported is forced to return to consumption in the domestic market, causing oversupply pressure, causing retail prices to fall sharply.
From another perspective, Dr. Doan Huu Tien, Director of the Center for Transfer of Technical Advances (Southern Fruit Tree Institute) - acknowledged that currently, saltwater intrusion has entered agricultural production areas, especially fruit tree areas, especially sensitive trees such as durian.
Durian trees have a long economic cycle, bringing high economic efficiency if we plant in the right growing area, as well as apply good technical measures. Conversely, if invested incorrectly, it will not bring efficiency" - Dr. Tien said.
According to the Doctor, there is an opinion that durian is a "rich tree", meaning that to grow durian, it is necessary to have enough capital, resources, labor, materials, and land. Therefore, people who want to grow durian must calculate carefully, especially in areas without favorable conditions, forcing them to invest more.
