November 14, 2024 | The Investor |
Durian farmers in Tien Giang Province, Vietnam, face a challenging off-season harvest due to extreme weather conditions, with prolonged rains and intense heat causing significant crop losses. Unlike previous years, the region’s orchards are unusually quiet, and only 30% of durian farms in Cai Be district have produced fruit.
Farmers like Nguyen Van Dang report substantial losses as weather changes caused flowers to fall prematurely, reducing yields drastically. Typically, off-season durians fetch high prices, with premium varieties selling for up to VND200,000 ($7.9) per kilogram, but the reduced harvest limits profits. Many farmers, including Dang, are shifting focus to the main harvest season starting next April.
Some successful growers, like Pham Minh Tung, emphasize careful monitoring and timely interventions to manage weather-induced stress on trees. Despite setbacks, Tien Giang remains a major durian producer in the Mekong Delta, with 21,000 hectares of plantations out of the region’s total 33,000 hectares, yielding approximately 330,000 tons of durian annually. However, recovery will depend on improved weather conditions and adaptive farming practices.