On February 4, we arrived at Phu An commune, one of the largest durian growing areas in Cai Lay district (Tien Giang province). These days, on the rural roads of the district, scenes of ripe durian gardens, ready to be harvested, appear everywhere.
At the durian growing household of Mr. Pham Ngoc Dien (in Hamlet 3, Phu An Commune), Mr. Dien said that his family owns 8,000m² of durian growing, which is currently in harvest time.
“I have just finalized the durian selling price with the traders, tomorrow (February 5) I will proceed to cut and weigh. This year, the leaf blight epidemic has seriously affected, causing durian productivity to decrease by 30-40% compared to the same period in 2024,” Mr. Dien shared.
Mr. Le Van Phuoc Lac - Director of Phu An Agricultural Service Cooperative - said that the cooperative has about 325 hectares of durian. This tree is considered the "king" of fruit trees in Tien Giang in particular and the whole country in general, because of its great economic value. However, recently, leaf blight has appeared frequently, causing this year's harvest yield to decrease by 30-40% compared to the same period in 2024.
Mr. Vo Chi Sac - Chairman of Phu An Commune People's Committee - said that the area of durian cultivation accounts for more than 50% of the total area of more than 1,300 hectares of fruit trees in the area. Durian trees have helped many households in the commune escape poverty and become well-off. In particular, since durian fruit was officially exported to the Chinese market, the selling price has been very good, farmers have earned high profits, and their lives have become increasingly better.
According to Mr. Sac, the area of durian in the commune is currently nearly 870 hectares. However, leaf burn on durian trees is common due to hot weather and bacterial diseases, causing this year's harvest yield to decrease by about 40% compared to the same period in 2024.
"Currently, the durian growing area in the area has been granted 2 growing area codes by China, and 5 other codes with an area of more than 396 hectares are awaiting appraisal," Mr. Sac informed.
According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tien Giang province, the area of durian cultivation in the province is currently about 22,000 hectares, most concentrated in Cai Be and Cai Lay districts.
