Farmers in the former Binh Thuan area, now part of eastern Lam Dong Province, are struggling with plunging dragon fruit prices, with some leaving ripe fruit unharvested. Farmer Le Hien sold five tonnes for just VND 800 per kg on September 22 after delaying the harvest in hopes of a price reco
Hien had delayed harvesting in hopes of higher prices, but the market fell further, leaving sales unable to cover labour costs. With tonnes of ripe fruit still on the plants, he and his son have already begun lighting the orchard at night for the next crop.
Hien is not alone, with dragon fruit prices plunging across the former Binh Thuan region, now part of eastern Lam Dong Province.
Traders said export-grade dragon fruit was fetching just VND 1,000-1,500 per kilogramme, while lower-quality fruit left on the plants for longer was selling for less than VND 1,000.
Prices have plunged from VND 30,000 per kilogramme in July to VND 2,000-3,000 a week ago and even lower since, leaving some farmers unable to cover harvesting costs. Ripe fruit is being left on plants or allowed to fall and rot in some orchards.
Fruit left on the plants too long can weaken them, prompting some farmers to cut and discard the crop to protect the plants for the next harve
Some farmers have instead harvested the unwanted fruit for use as cattle feed, rather than let their investment in labour and fertiliser go entirely to waste.
Some collection depots are seeking alternative outlets for the glut, sending fruit to domestic wholesale markets and using passenger coaches to cut transp
Farmers attributed the price slump to a glut after many growers kept more fruit on their plants when prices surged early in the season, resulting in large volumes ripening around the Mid-Autumn Fest
Traders and the Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association said the simultaneous harvest had created a supply glut, while stocks from the previous crop remained unsold in China as the country entered its own peak harv
The former Binh Thuan area is Lam Dong's largest dragon fruit-growing region, with the province producing more than 500,000 tonnes a year from over 26,000 hectares. China remains the main market despite exports to more than 20 countries.
