September 17, 2026 | vnExpress |
Dragon fruit prices in Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Lam Dong have fallen sharply to VND2,000–7,000 per kilogram, a decline of 53–90%, leaving many farmers unable to cover production costs. Some lower-grade fruit is selling for as little as VND500 per kilogram, while farmers estimate prices need to reach at least VND10,000 per kilogram to break even.
The decline is particularly disappointing because crops harvested around the Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year traditionally benefit from stronger demand. Farmers report substantial losses from expenses including fertilizers, labor, irrigation, and electricity, prompting some to consider switching to other crops such as lotus or rice.
The Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association attributed the price decline mainly to increased seasonal supply. Competition has also intensified as China, traditionally a major market for Vietnamese dragon fruit, rapidly expands its domestic production.
Lam Dong has more than 26,000 hectares of dragon fruit cultivation and produces around 500,000 tonnes annually. Vietnamese dragon fruit is currently exported to more than 20 markets, including India, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.
