Dragon fruit price showing signs of recovery.

The story of dragon fruit was a problem which Binh Thuan farmers have been concerned about. After more than one week, the price dropped down, only VND 300 – 2,500 per kilogram. At the present, the price is showing signs of inching.Number of dragon fruits in the gardens of Ham Thuan Nam district have been much although the ripening period went by. Mr. Tran Van Cot (at Phu Sum village, in Ham Cuong commune) said that “The dragon fruit price has rapidly dropped in the main crop, with the lowest price in the last period. From the previous years’ experience, dragon fruits are hung on trees to wait for an increase of price. This affects quality. And the price has been lower and lower. Therefore, Mr. Cot has sold for VND 300 – 2,500 per kilogram. Many growers can’t manage on money to refund banks while their terms is coming”. Mrs Thanh (Ham Kiem commune) complained “Nearly 1 hectare of dragon fruit is harvested in the second year. As expected, the yield will achieve about 10 tons. I will clear my debt. However, with the current price, I don’t have much profit after deducting expenses”. According to growers, there has been a lot of other fruits in the main crop and the high yield of dragon fruit, which leads the low cost of dragon fruit. Like other gardeners, Mr. Cot and Mrs Thanh believe that price will increase as the previous time. Therefore, they continuously enlarge area.

Traders’ purchasing activities have been “disturbed” by the price. Mrs Le Thi Hien – a trader (Phu Hung village, Ham My commune) said that “last week, a large number of ripening dragon fruit in the main crop make domestic consumption difficult. So, product selection must be done carefully. Since July 12th , number of which have not been much, the price is showing signs of inching slowly, VND 700 – 3,500 per kilogram. Buying and selling are easier.

According to dragon fruit export enterprises in Binh Thuan province, although the dragon fruit cost reduced strongly, but export under the form of cross-border trade or trade agreement has not been affected. Clearly, foreign markets open the door for dragon fruit. Mr. Vo Tin – head of planning division of Binh Thuan fruit and vegetable company said that “The company still exports 40 – 60 tons to Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Hongkong… under the form of trade agreement. The company has not kept dragon fruit in reserve to wait for prices to increase as a stir in public opinion. Products are exported after purchasing and preserving in the cold storage within 1 – 2 days.

The total area of dragon fruit in Binh Thuan is 13,500 hectares, including 12,000 hectares of dragon fruit being harvested. An rapid increase of dragon fruit area creates great pressure on consumption.

Trang Hieu (Source: Binh Thuan newpape)