Following a period where certain varieties fell to merely 3,000–5,000 VND per kg back in May, dragon fruit prices have currently risen to 14,000–20,000 VND per kg, helping farmers turn a profit.

Surveys indicate that recently, dragon fruit prices recovered sharply across both retail markets and at the farmgate. At retail outlets, grade 1 red-flesh dragon fruit sells for 35,000–40,000 VND per kg, while white-flesh stands around 20,000–25,000 VND, nearly doubling compared to the time prices hit bottom in May.

In the Binh Thuan growing region, grade 1 white-flesh dragon fruit is purchased at 14,000–15,000 VND per kg, and red-flesh at 19,000–20,000 VND. At these price levels, many farmers state they have earned profits of approximately 3,000–4,000 VND per kg after multiple months selling below production costs.

According to Mr. Xuan, a trader purchasing dragon fruit in Binh Thuan, recent output decreased by approximately 10% compared to the same period due to prolonged rains. Meanwhile, demand for select-grade goods remains stable, combined with the market entering an inter-crop supply gap phase that creates supply scarcity, pulling prices upward again after months of steep declines.

"It is expected that in about 3 to 5 days, a new crop batch will be available for export, making supply more abundant," he said.

Grade 3 dragon fruit edged up to 5,000–12,000 VND per kg, so at many roadside sales points in Ho Chi Minh City, red-flesh dragon fruit is still offered at around 20,000 VND per kg.

According to Mr. Canh, Chairman of the Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association, dragon fruit prices recovering are primarily due to supply reductions following a prolonged period of low prices that prompted many orchard owners to narrow cultivation areas or cut back investment in care. In recent days, many growing regions again entered an inter-crop supply gap phase, making the volume of goods brought to market even scarcer and driving prices up rapidly.

Mr. Canh noted that demand from export markets is maintained, but prolonged rains affect fruit quality, increasing the ratio of off-grade goods and reducing the volume of dragon fruit meeting export standards.

According to Customs data, in the first 6 months, dragon fruit exports reached 280 million USD, down nearly 3% compared to the same period last year. According to Mr. Canh, declining turnover stems mainly from supply reductions following a prolonged period of low prices that led many farmers to shrink cultivation areas or reduce investment in care, causing output to drop. Additionally, unfavorable weather also resulted in lower ratios of export-standard fruit, impacting shipment volumes.

Source: VnExpress