Mangosteen prices are high but people are not happy

Mangosteen output in Binh Duong has decreased sharply by 60 - 80%, pushing up the price of ripe mangosteen, grade 1 fluctuating from 120,000 - 140,000 VND/kg.

Currently, the price of grade 1 ripe mangosteen ranges from 120,000 - 140,000 VND/kg. Photo: Tran Phi.

The prolonged hot weather has affected the mangosteen harvest in Binh Duong, especially in Lai Thieu area. Mangosteen output has decreased sharply by 60 - 80% compared to previous years. Therefore, along the roads in Lai Thieu area, mangosteen is no longer flooded as before.

Mr. Tran Van Vien, Director of An Son Agricultural Service Cooperative (An Son Commune, Thuan An City) said that because the mangosteen growing area in Binh Duong and other provinces and cities is quite small, when encountering unfavorable weather, the output is seriously affected.

In Thuan An, the mangosteen growing area is mainly concentrated in Lai Thieu, An Son, Hung Dinh, and Binh Nham wards with about 600 hectares, accounting for more than half of the total fruit garden area of ​​the entire city.

This season, mangosteen production has decreased by 80%. An Son Agricultural Service Cooperative has 21 hectares of mangosteen, harvesting about 30 tons each year to supply domestic and foreign markets. However, this year, the production has decreased sharply, causing mangosteen to not be enough to supply markets and shops, so they can only harvest sparingly.

Lai Thieu mangosteens are in high price this year, but the harvest is poor. Photo: Tran Phi.

Currently, the price of grade 1 ripe mangosteen ranges from 120,000 - 140,000 VND/kg. Mangosteen chicken salad is a "trend" that has increased the demand and price of mangosteen. Since the beginning of the season, when some Lai Thieu mangosteen gardens were still young, the price of green mangosteen has reached 90,000 - 120,000 VND/kg. The price of green mangosteen, the type with the skin on, is from 90,000 - 100,000 VND/kg and the peeled type is from 350,000 - 400,000 VND/kg. However, in some places, the price can be much higher due to scarcity.

Mr. Dang Kim Quy, a mangosteen grower with over 15 years of experience in An Son commune, Thuan An city, shared that mangosteen trees usually bear fruit around Tet or the 12th lunar month and are harvested from late April to May of the lunar calendar. But this year, the prolonged sunshine has greatly affected the fruiting, causing many trees to lose young fruit.

Mr. Quy also said that many gardeners decided to sell green mangosteens early, right at the beginning of the season because when the fruit is ripe, the damage rate is high and the price is not as high as green mangosteens. However, he does not encourage selling too many young mangosteens because it will affect the yield of the next crop.

Authorities encourage people not to sell too many young mangosteens because it will affect the next crop's yield. Photo: Tran Phi.

Mangosteen growers request Binh Duong province to continue implementing support policies such as Decision 63 to ensure the area of ​​specialty fruit gardens is maintained. The Lai Thieu Fruit Festival in 2024 is expected to be held from June 8 to 15 (from the 3rd to the 7th of the 5th lunar month) in Hung Dinh ward, Thuan An city.

"Currently, farmers are still working hard to take care of their gardens. But this year's festival season will probably not be as joyful as last year's due to crop failure and reduced productivity," Mr. Quy said.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Duong province, urban agriculture in South Binh Duong, including the area of ​​specialty fruit trees in Thuan An city, is facing many pressures.

Mangosteen growers request Binh Duong province to continue implementing support policies to ensure the area of ​​specialty fruit gardens is maintained. Photo: Tran Phi.

In 2016, the People's Committee of Binh Duong province issued Decision No. 3265 approving the project on Urban Agricultural Development in the Southern Region of Binh Duong province for the period 2016 - 2020. Binh Duong has supported nearly 50 billion VND through the policy of supporting the preservation and development of specialty fruit gardens in Binh Duong province for the period 2007 - 2021. However, some objectives of the project such as developing fruit tree areas combined with developing eco-tourism have been implemented slowly, not meeting the set goals.

The reason is that many industrial facilities, urban areas, and residential areas are built interspersed with agricultural areas, which has continuously reduced agricultural production space. In particular, the rapid urbanization rate in some areas of Thuan An city has reduced the area of ​​fruit trees associated with eco-tourism. Along with that, environmental pollution caused by industrial activities and urban life also has a significant impact on the quality of local farming and aquaculture.

Mr. Pham Van Bong - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Duong province said that from these results and limitations, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed to the Provincial People's Committee not to continue developing the project on Urban Agricultural Development in the Southern region of Binh Duong province in the next phase.

"The agricultural sector will base on the development plan of agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors and products in the planning of Binh Duong province for the period of 2021 - 2030 to develop plans and integrate urban agricultural development with the sector's existing key programs and plans," Mr. Bong emphasized.

Source: https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/gia-mang-cut-tang-cao-nhung-nguoi-dan-khong-vui-d386998.html