A month before the summer harvest in the southeastern province of Binh Duong, wholesale prices of mangosteens in Vietnam tower above those of Thai imports.

A May 12 sales report shows that mangosteen from Thailand sold at between VND50,000 and 65,000 ($1.96-2.55). This is even as local fruits in Vietnam averaged VND80,000 and 100,000 ($314-$3.93) a kg.

In the past, Thai mangosteen used to cost between VND100,000 and 200,000 ($3.93-7.86) per kg, according to traders.

Despite the affordability, the quality is top-notch in comparison to the imports of 2023, perhaps due to cultivation improvements. In 2023, Chanthaburi region in Thailand exported some 3 million baht ($82,390) worth of mangosteen and durian owing to their superior quality.

Cai Mon Season Over 

Putting pressure on Vietnam’s price is the fact that Cai Mon province has just finished its young mangosteen season. 

The young mangosteen harvest here runs from February to mid-April and almost all the crop has gone with traders and eateries.

Hence, mangosteens from Cai Mon retailed between VND70,000 and 150,000 ($2.75-$5.89) in early May, 2024. This is per an assessment of traders who resell farmers’ immature fruits to restaurants at a markup.

After they avail the pricey fruits, local eateries then sell popular mangosteen salads up to four times the procurement cost. Data shows that a sour young mangosteen-chicken salad can cost up to VND600,000 ($23.57).

Hot Conditions Affect Vietnam’s Mangosteens

Vietnam attributes this change of fortune to prevailing hot conditions. Indeed, dry weather might cut local mangosteen production in Binh Duong by 70% this season.

With a harvest duration starting June 8 till early September, the province will up supplies but may not help lower prices.

Traditionally, a month before the Binh Duong harvest, local mangosteen prices usually cost less than VND50,000 ($1.96) a kg. However, the looming 2024 harvest has not had a similar effect and many expect the prices to remain high. This is unless there are enough imports to balance the pricing factors.

For now, local buyers, traders and touring enthusiasts of mangosteens in Vietnam will have to rely on cheap Thai fare.