While orchard owners complain that durian prices have "hit rock bottom," consumers still have to purchase them at relatively high prices.

Durian prices in the Mekong Delta region have recently plummeted, with some places dropping to just 25,000 - 30,000 VND/kg at the orchard. However, a survey in Ho Chi Minh City shows that while durian is being displayed more abundantly and prices have decreased compared to before, they are not as low as many people might think.

A large gap between warehouse and retail prices

At a fruit stall on Vu Huy Tan Street (Gia Dinh Ward, HCMC), Ri6 durian is being sold for 70,000 VND/kg, a decrease of about 10,000 VND/kg compared to a month ago.

At the Farmer Market system, durian is currently under heavy promotion, but for many consumers, the price remains high. Huynh Lam Ri6 durian pulp is discounted by 30% from the listed price, down to 476,000 VND/kg; Musang King durian grown in Vietnam is priced at 598,000 VND per fruit (1.5-2 kg), a 23% decrease.

Meanwhile, at T&T Fruit store belonging to Vina T&T—a unit specializing in fruit exports—Monthong durian remains at 145,000 VND/kg; Ri6 is 109.000 VND/kg, though stock is inconsistent.

In several supermarkets, bulk durian is priced at approximately 70,000 VND/kg, while branded products maintain a price point above 100,000 VND/kg.

In contrast, warehouses in the Mekong Delta on May 5 were purchasing Grade A Monthong durian at approximately 80,000 VND/kg, and Grade B at 60,000 VND/kg. Grade A Ri6 was only 39,000 – 40,000 VND/kg, while Grade B was 24,000 – 25,000 VND/kg. These are the prices for goods meeting export standards for the Chinese market; lower grades are even cheaper.

For Ri6, many orchard owners consider this a "bottom price," the lowest seen in many years.

What do insiders say?

According to Mr. T.T.T, owner of an enterprise supplying durian to high-end fruit stores and supermarkets, delicious durian with clear traceability cannot be cheap.

To ensure stable supply and quality, the business must fix purchasing prices higher than the market average. Currently, this unit still buys Ri6 at the orchard for 55,000 – 60,000 VND/kg, rather than under 40,000 VND/kg as seen in some market transactions.

Additionally, after-sales costs and "guaranteed taste" policies (returns/exchanges if quality is not met) also push up the retail price of durian.

Meanwhile, spontaneous stalls often purchase "rejected" goods from warehouses at low prices to sell cheaper, but the quality is inconsistent.

Furthermore, durian is a premium fruit; prices remain high even after a decrease, so the consumer's feeling that it is "not cheap" is understandable.

Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, argued that the high price reaching consumers is mainly due to costs through multiple intermediary stages.

The price of 20,000 – 25,000 VND/kg often mentioned actually only applies to rejected durian or Grade C. For export-standard goods, the wholesale price remains at 40,000 – 50,000 VND/kg, so a retail price of around 70,000 VND/kg is considered reasonable.

Source: Bao Nguoi Lao Dong