According to a recent report [3] by Vietnamese online newspaper VnExpress, after months of steep declines, durian prices in Dak Lak province, a major durian-producing area in the country’s Central Highlands region, have risen by 20–30% in just one week, with wholesale prices for high-quality fruit reaching 100,000 Vietnamese dong ($3.85) per kilogram.

Since supply increased in early May, Vietnamese durian prices have continued to decline. Wholesale prices for grade A fruit fell to around 60,000 dong ($2.31) per kilogram at one point, while farm gate prices dropped to just 45,000 dong ($1.73) to 50,000 dong ($1.92) per kilogram. Currently, prices for high-quality Monthong durians at some orchards in Dak Lak have reached 100,000 dong ($3.85) to 105,000 dong ($4.04) per kilogram. Grade A fruit is priced at 90,000 dong ($3.46) to 95,000 dong ($3.65) per kilogram, while grade B fruit is selling for around 60,000 dong ($2.31) to 70,000 dong ($2.69) per kilogram.

Phuong, a trader in Dak Lak province, said that the price increase is attributable to many growing areas having already completed their harvests. Although durians are still available in Dak Lak, production volumes vary significantly from orchard to orchard. In addition, heavy rains have affected fruit quality, further reducing the supply of high-quality durians [4].

Demand in China [5] has continued to grow in recent weeks, while durian supplies are declining. Le Anh Trung, president of the Dak Lak Durian Association, said that exporters are increasing their inventories to meet demand from the Chinese market during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays. As the market supply tightens, purchase prices have also risen.

The durian supply in Dak Lak remains substantial, with only about 40% of the crop harvested so far. The harvest is expected to continue through mid- to late November.

Durian production in Dak Lak is anticipated to reach about 500,000 metric tons in 2026, up approximately 20% from last year. As a result, prices may continue to fluctuate during the final months of the season, depending on harvest progress and market demand. Continued rainfall could also affect fruit quality for the remainder of the season.

Image: iStock

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article [6].