The premium-priced ‘Black thorn” durian variety from Vietnam is now selling 40% cheaper than it did in mid-2023. This is despite a decrease in Thai durian imports in recent weeks which should have pushed up the prices.
According to Thuc, a grower from Ben Tre province on the Mekong Delta, prices have plummeted from 2 million dong ($78.82) in 2023 to 1.2 million dong ($47.29) per 4-kg box.
Thuc is not alone as retailers, too, are selling the normally pricey fruit below 450,000 dong ($17.73), a 30% yearly decline.
This owes to a supply rebound after a May 2024 weather-related drop in durian production in Mekong Delta by 20-30%.
Black Thorn Glut
Along with improving weather, black thorn and other varieties have lately seen uptick yields, especially in the deltas.
This means that the usually expensive type now has to compete with the local Ri6 and Thai monthong at brimming markets.
But all eyes are on this premium black thorn cultivar, whose origin is Malaysia. For one, Vietnam’s growers are priding in the fact that their strain is of the same high quality as the Malay one. Besides, it matures in just 36 months after planting vis-á-vis 4 to 5 months for most durian varieties.
Other Durians in Dak Nong
As delta farmers experience a price drop for the Malay variety, their counterparts in Dak Nong, south-central Vietnam are celebrating a multi-variety bounty.
Thanks to a partnership between Bayer and Dak Nong’s agricultural extension center (PAEC), farmers are witnessing sustainable production of durians.
More so, farm-gate prices as of July 15, 2024 for multiple varieties have moderated at 73,000 dong ($2.88) a kilogram.
Monthong variety’s growers expect the farm-gate price to increase later in 2024 to 82,000 dong ($3.23) a kg as supplies ebb. This could also reflect on the retail price, whose peak was in February 2024 at 200,000 dong ($8.15) per kg.
In short, while glut is killing prices of especially black thorn durian, farmers of all varieties expect a gradual price rise. And as the following information shows, Vietnam is a resilient durian provider both in production and price capacity.
Vietnam Durian Statistics
Vietnam provides 3% of world durian, behind Thailand, which accounts for 90% of global supplies. According to OEC data, Vietnam ranked as the third biggest global exporter in 2022 with $287 million export turnover. Thailand led exports at $3.22 billion, ahead of Hong Kong at $488 million.
How big is production of durian in Vietnam?
According to Vietnam News, the country produces 850,000 metric tonnes of durian from over 110,000 hectares under the fruit.
Which is the top export destination?
Almost 99% of Vietnam’s durian exports are bound for China. This destination helps push total revenue from durian exports to $2.2 billion or 40% of all fruit turnover by Vietnam.
What are the production centers of Vietnam’s durian?
The Central Highlands that include Dak Nong province lead in durian acreage at 52,000 hectares or 47% of all durian area. The strategic Mekong Delta in the south follows with 33,000 hectares while the southeast accounts for the rest, at 21,000 hectares. These production centers have seen a yearly acreage growth of 25% between 2019 and March 2024.
How popular and expensive is black thorn variety in Vietnam?
Though it still trails behind Ri6 in terms of popularity, black thorn has been gaining with consumers in 2024. This owes to ameliorating retail prices, which were at 800,000 dong ($31.53) a kg in June 2023 and 450,000 ($17.73) in July 2024. However, the growing popularity lies in the variety’s soft texture and delicious taste and not price. In 2023, it cost 9 times more than Ri6 and over 2 times more than Musang King variety.