Reduced output and steady demand leads to boost in local farm gate prices
Vietnam’s dragon fruit exports have seen a 3 per cent year-on-year drop in the first half of this year, according to customs data cited in a VNExpress report.
Prolonged rains have affected harvest volumes with one trader in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong telling the publication yields are down 10 per cent on the year before.
While output is down, demand has remained strong for the tropical fruit leading to a significant boost in farm gate prices.
According to VNExpress, the value of white fleshed dragon fruit has doubled to VND15,000 (US$0.57) per kilogram since May while red-fleshed variety has increased to VND20,000 ($0.76 USD) per kilogram.
This has meant growers, who were selling at losses back in May, are now reporting profits of VND3,000-4,000 per kilogram.
Retail prices have followed a similar trend, with white dragon fruit selling at VND25,000 per kilogram and red-fleshed ones at VND40,000.
Vietnam currentlt has approximately 55,000-60,000 hectares of dragon fruit crops producing an around 1.4mn tonnes annually. According to the Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association in Lam Dong, output has declined in recent years as growers have switched to higher-profit crops following a prolonged period of low prices.
