Dragon fruit prices soar

CAN THO – The price of dragon fruit has skyrocketed to VND40,000 per kilogram since the border gates between Vietnam and China were reopened, reversing course from two weeks ago when exports to China came to a halt and dragon fruit prices stood at VND1,000 per kilogram on the local market due to the spread of the new coronavirus.

Large baskets of dragon fruit are arranged at a collection point for traders. The price of dragon fruit has skyrocketed to VND40,000 per kilogram – PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

Nguyen Quoc Trinh, chairman of Long An Dragon Fruit Association, on February 17 told the Saigon Times that some 10 days ago, the association had worked with the Long An government and the Mekong Delta provinces’ and cities’ Departments of Industry and Trade to find ways to support dragon fruit farmers.

However, dragon fruit prices in Long An Province have spiked these days, stated Trinh.

“On February 17, traders bought red-fleshed dragon fruit in the province at a price of VND40,000 per kilogram,” Trinh said, expecting the price for exports to China to be at least VND45,000 per kilogram.

Huynh Kim Phung, a representative of the Long Viet Dragon Fruit warehouse in Tien Giang Province, noted that the price of red-fleshed dragon fruit stood at VND35,000 per kilogram on February 17, soaring by up to VND30,000 per kilogram against 10 days ago.

“The price is expected to continue rising in the next few days, depending on the demand,” Phung remarked.

Trinh attributed the price hike to the resumption of trade at border gates and crossings with China.

At a working session between a working team of the Government and the Vinh Long authorities on February 15, a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade confirmed that trade at border gates with China had resumed fully.

Regarding the 14-day quarantine imposition on drivers transporting goods to China, Trinh pointed out that instead of Vietnamese drivers crossing the border into China to deliver goods and facing a 14-day quarantine when returning, Chinese drivers are being permitted to drive across the border into Vietnam to receive goods.