The plummeting export turnover has caused jackfruit, watermelon and durian to all fall in price, with some types in the garden selling for only a few thousand VND per kilogram.
The latest statistics from customs show that in the first 4 months of the year, the fruit and nut group only brought in more than 1 billion USD to Vietnam, down 23% compared to the same period last year. In the group of 8 main exported fruits, most of them decreased sharply, except for mango and coconut, which had an increase in turnover.
Durian – the fruit that broke through last year – decreased the most, with turnover reaching only 183 million USD in the first 4 months of the year, down 61% compared to the same period. Watermelon followed, down 52% to 33 million USD, while jackfruit also only brought in nearly 98 million USD, down 20%. Bananas and dragon fruit decreased by 2.2% and 7.2%, to 174 million USD and nearly 210 million USD, respectively.
According to the Fruit and Vegetable Association, the main reason comes from the fact that major markets such as China, South Korea, the Netherlands and Thailand have simultaneously tightened imports. Of which, China – the largest market – has continuously raised quarantine and chemical inspection standards. For durian, this country checks for cadmium residue and yellow O (a carcinogen), and applies a 100% inspection rate, causing business costs to increase, customs clearance time to be extended, and many units are afraid to sign new contracts.
Jackfruit – a fruit that is almost entirely dependent on China – is also facing difficulties when this country increases control of the active ingredients ethephon and paclobutrazol. The prolonged customs clearance has caused businesses to reduce purchases, and traders have only collected goods for the domestic market.
The prices of many types of fruit have therefore dropped sharply. Off-season durian is currently down to 40,000-80,000 VND per kg depending on the type, half of last year’s price. Thai jackfruit in the garden is still priced at 4,000-10,000 VND, the lowest price ever. Watermelon in Quang Nam is also only priced at 4,000 VND per kg.
With dragon fruit, China has gradually become self-sufficient in supply, so it only increases imports when Vietnam is off-season.
The decline in exports has caused many growing areas to fall into a situation where their revenue is not enough to cover costs, especially for farmers who spontaneously expand their acreage without following the planning.
At a recent meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy requested a review of growing areas, avoiding rampant expansion, overuse of forest land and sloping land; and tightening planning to ensure production safety and ecological protection.
In the long term, the Ministry will complete the legal framework related to agricultural product exports, adding regulations on growing area codes, packaging facilities, testing and appraisal. The goal is to standardize technical processes from production to export, promote deep processing to increase value and reduce dependence on the fresh market. Enterprises are also encouraged to diversify markets to reduce risks when a major market changes its import policy.
Source: https://vnexpress.net/kim-ngach-xuat-khau-nhieu-loai-trai-cay-chu-luc-giam-manh-4891106.html