Black Thorn durian gaining popularity in Vietnam despite high prices
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Farmers grow it in the Mekong Delta and their trees have borne fruits this harvest season.
The most expensive durian variety in Vietnam costs nine times the price of Ri6 and 2.5 times that of Musang King, another premium variety originating in Malaysia.
A woman named Loan in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 5 said she recently paid VND5.6 million for three Black Thorn durians weighing a total seven kilograms.
“It has a thin rind and a lot of flesh that is really delicious and soft.”
Lan in Hanoi said: “I’ve waited for one week now to buy two Black Thorn fruits.”
But since it is a recent entrant, there is not much Black Thorn grown in Vietnam yet.
A farm could only supply 50-100 kg at a time, and that is not enough to meet demand, fruit sellers said.
As the first to grow the variety, Thuc in the delta’s Ben Tre Province said he has been growing it since 2019 and now has around 20 trees.
He said each season would produce 60 kg of fruits on average.
“I’m about to harvest 200 kg of them but cannot meet the demand. This variety grows well in the Mekong Delta, so we will grow more.
He sells the durians at VND450,000-500,000 per kilogram at his farm.
In Can Tho too farmers are growing Black Thorn.
Trader Dang Mang Khuong said the variety is better than Musang King since it weighs 1.5-3kg each and has four or five locules each.
Farmers also said Black Thorn has a faster growth rate compared to Ri6 and some other varieties.
A tree starts to fruit after two to three years, they added.
Questions & Answers
Q.What makes Black Thorn durian so popular despite its high price compared to other varieties?
What makes Black Thorn durian so popular despite its high price compared to other varieties?
Consumers find Black Thorn appealing due to its thin rind and abundant, delicious, soft flesh. Traders also note it is better than Musang King, weighing 1.5-3kg with four or five locules each.
Q.How do the prices of Black Thorn durian vary between farmers and consumers in Vietnam?
How do the prices of Black Thorn durian vary between farmers and consumers in Vietnam?
Farmers like Thuc in Ben Tre Province sell Black Thorn at VND450,000-500,000 per kilogram directly from their farm. However, consumers in cities like Ho Chi Minh City pay a steeper VND800,000 per kilogram.
Q.What are the advantages of growing Black Thorn durian for farmers in the Mekong Delta?
What are the advantages of growing Black Thorn durian for farmers in the Mekong Delta?
Farmers report that Black Thorn grows well in the Mekong Delta and has a faster growth rate compared to varieties like Ri6. Trees also start fruiting relatively quickly, within two to three years.
Q.Why is it difficult for consumers to purchase Black Thorn durian in Vietnam currently?
Why is it difficult for consumers to purchase Black Thorn durian in Vietnam currently?
Since Black Thorn is a recent entrant to Vietnam, there is not much grown yet, meaning farms can only supply 50-100 kg at a time. This limited supply is insufficient to meet the current high demand from consumers.