Fruit prices in Vietnam: Cheap at the farm, 4-5 times higher in the market

In Vietnam, a stark price disparity exists between fruit sold at the farm gate and in urban markets, leaving farmers with meager earnings while consumers face inflated costs. Produce like jackfruit, which fetches as little as 4,000-5,000 dong per kilogram for the best quality at the farm, is sold in Ho Chi Minh City markets for 20,000-23,000 dong per kilogram, even when pre-cut.

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If compared to the price at the garden, the price is still 2-3 times higher.

Other fruits like rambutan are also affected. While sold on sidewalks in Ho Chi Minh City for 15,000-35,000 dong per kilogram, a price deemed acceptable by some consumers, it remains two to three times higher than the farm price. Avocados, sapodillas, and mangoes show similar patterns, with farm prices ranging from 5,000-10,000 dong per kilogram, while market prices are considerably higher.

Farmers in the Mekong Delta and Tây Nam Bộ regions are particularly hard-hit, with jackfruit prices plummeting to levels that cause significant losses. Red-fleshed jackfruit also sells at low prices. Even fruits like dragon fruit and lychee are experiencing sharp declines in farm-gate prices. This situation forces farmers to sell at a loss, while consumers continue to pay a premium in markets.

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If compared to the price at the garden, the price is still quite high.

Retailers explain that the price difference stems from selling in bulk at farms versus selling individually in markets, often involving multiple intermediaries. This complex supply chain inflates the final cost for consumers. The article questions how to break this cycle of falling prices for farmers and high prices for consumers.

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If compared to the price at the garden, the price is 5-6 times lower.