Black Thorn durian flies off shelves despite being 5-8 times pricier than other varieties

Despite being priced 5-8 times higher than other durian varieties, Black Thorn durians continue to sell out quickly in Vietnamese markets. Prices for Black Thorn have remained stable at VND220,000-240,000 per kilogram, even as other premium varieties like Monthong and Ri6 see a 20-30% price reduction to VND55,000 and VND80,000-90,000 per kilogram.

Hoa, a shopper in HCMC's Xuan Hoa Ward, purchases Black Thorn durians despite the high cost, favoring it for its thinner skin and more pulp. Fruit sellers in Go Vap Ward report that six to seven out of ten customers request Black Thorn durians, often placing pre-orders. Many walk-in customers also ask for this variety, with a significant portion leaving their contact information to be informed when new stock arrives.

The scarcity of Black Thorn durians is attributed to limited supply, with traders in the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta explaining that the variety is sold at VND220,000-240,000 per kilogram at the farm gate. Hien, a trader in Dak Lak, gets numerous large orders, but is only able to procure 400-500 kilograms of Black Thorn every two to three days from farmers. Many growers have only a few trees of this variety, making procurement very difficult.

The low yields of Black Thorn durians, which produce less than half the fruit of other premium varieties, pose a challenge for farmers. For instance, a six-year-old Monthong durian tree can yield 30-50 fruits per year, while Black Thorn yields less than half that amount. Vo Tan Loi, chairman of the Dong Thap Durian Association, notes that while Black Thorn durians produce high-quality fruit, the lower yields make farmers hesitant to expand cultivation, as the higher prices do not necessarily translate to increased profitability.