Harvest prices plunge for fruit growers in Mekong Delta

Fruit growers in the Mekong Delta region are getting less for their harvest while consumers are paying more because there are too many middle-men in the supply chain and growers lack adequate planning for their production.

 

Fruit prices in Mekong Delta tumbling as harvest peaks 

Prices of sweet mango in Hoa An Commune of Dong Thap Province dropped more than half to VND7,000 a kilogramme in a month.

Truong Van Doi, a dragon fruit grower in My Tinh An Commune of Tien Giang Province, said prices have been fluctuating over the past two months, falling from VND60,000/kg to VND15,000/kg.

“Dragon fruit prices are expected to continue to fall in May,” Doi said.

But while farmers are forced to sell fruits at cheap prices, prices remain high in the market due to the proliferation of middle-men in the supply chain.

Farmers have invested heavily to meet standards under the Global Good Agricultural Practice system, but excess supply has met limited export markets, leaving them at the mercy of traders on domestic markets.

But while growers are getting less, prices in supermarket are rising.

“There are too many middle-men in the fruit supply chain,” said agricultural expert Vo Tong Xuan.

“Farmers should actively change their traditional methods of production based on small fields and take part in cooperatives to get better market information and have more chances to apply modern technology in their production,” he said.