Durian prices drop sharply, many farmers lose money

A durian purchasing warehouse in Cai Be district, Tien Giang province. Photo: NGOC PHUC

Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, who has 3 hectares of durian in Co Do district, Can Tho city, said that what is more worrying is that currently, traders are only buying in moderation and paying very low prices. Faced with the sharp drop in durian prices, some durian growers in Chau Thanh A district (Hau Giang), Phong Dien (Can Tho city) have had to directly sell durian along Highway 61C (the road connecting Can Tho city and Hau Giang).

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Giang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hau Giang province, the durian market is facing a number of significant challenges, especially related to quality, price and consumption. Durian prices are showing a sharp downward trend due to factors such as increasing supply as farmers expand their production areas, climate change affecting the crop season and traders harvesting unripe fruit, affecting quality as well as competition from neighboring durian growing countries. In particular, some countries are tightening control over the quality of imported durian. The Department of Agriculture and Environment recommends: Farmers must ensure that their products meet food safety standards as required by the importing country, or international standards to easily access demanding markets in order to expand markets in the coming time. At the same time, invest in advanced technology and farming techniques to improve durian quality.

Western farmers need to invest systematically to reduce durian production costs.

Currently, the Mekong Delta has about 35,000 hectares, of which Tien Giang has up to 24,000 hectares. The worrying thing now is that the spontaneous cultivation of durian continues to increase in some localities. The expansion of durian cultivation area is not in the planning, lacking a suitable dike, irrigation and transportation system.

After oranges, durian is at risk of having to "rescue" its output.

According to Mr. Tran Thai Nghiem, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City, currently some gardeners have not changed their production practices, the cost of producing durian is up to 40,000 VND/kg, with the current price considered a total loss. Meanwhile, some households produce according to advanced production processes, the cost is only about 10,000 - 12,000 VND/kg and still make a profit. Farmers need to strictly follow safe and transparent production processes, apply advanced techniques; farmers are more responsible in their links with businesses to ensure long-term output. In addition, businesses should invest in deep processing of durian products to increase value. Encourage cooperatives, links between farmers and businesses to create a sustainable supply chain, help stabilize prices and improve consumption efficiency. Farmers and businesses need to focus on quality, diversify products and expand the durian market to overcome the current difficult period.

According to VINH TUONG (SGGPO)

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/gia-sau-rieng-giam-manh-nhieu-nong-dan-lo-von-post319594.html