Running in large numbers
After the 2024-2025 winter-spring rice crop, Mr. Pham Thanh Phong (O Mon district, Can Tho city) decided to go ashore to grow durian. Ri6 is a durian variety chosen by Mr. Phong.
Mr. Phong gave the reason for abandoning durian rice cultivation in the context of the Chinese market tightening import criteria because he believed in the profits that this crop brought.
"Around me, many households have improved thanks to growing durian. Like last year, the high price of durian has brought them many profits. This year, durian prices have decreased but are generally still at an average level. Meanwhile, the price of rice this year has fallen significantly compared to more than a year ago, so I decided to grow durian with the hope of finding a plant to help my family increase my income, Mr. Phong shared.
After a period of ineffective orange growing, Mr. Nguyen Van Nam (Phong Dien district, Can Tho city) also plans to switch to growing durian. Mr. Nam said that there were times when the orange had a good harvest but the price dropped miserably, only 1,000 - 2,000 VND/kg but there were still no traders to buy, so they had to pick it up.
"After many years of growing without profit, people around have also switched to other crops. jackfruit growers and star apple growers, but the majority of them are durian because of the high price, which can also be exported. With that desire, my family decided to switch to growing durian, said Mr. Nam.
Developing in favorable areas
According to data from the Can Tho City Statistics Office, in 2024, the durian growing area in the city will be 6,991 hectares. Meanwhile, this area in 2015 was 537 hectares.
Currently, the durian area for the product is 4,242 hectares, with an output of 61,673 tons. The growing area is mainly concentrated in Phong Dien, Thoi Lai, O Mon districts, ... with over 86% Ri6 variety, the rest are other varieties.
The whole city of Can Tho has been granted 42 official export growing area codes for fresh durian to the Chinese market, with a total area of 1,511 hectares; 1 durian packaging facility has been granted a code.
Regarding durian production in the area, the city's agricultural sector recommends that farmers should not develop in unfavorable areas; need to clearly understand the characteristics of the land, choose quality varieties, clearly understand the production process, and prepare for planting gardens before deciding to switch to growing durian.
The city's agricultural sector also coordinates with localities to promote propaganda, training, guidance on the establishment and management of growing area codes for farmers, organizations and individuals involved; help farmers raise awareness of "only agricultural exports bring higher economic value"; encourage businesses with the desire to link consumption to participate in linking with growing areas to ensure output for farmers.
