Photo courtesy of VN Express Prices for fruits like watermelon and orange have dramatically dropped in Vietnam, with watermelon priced at VND1,000-5,000 (3.8-19 U.S. cents) per kilogram due to low domestic demand and stricter import standards from China. Farmers in Gia Lai and Vinh Long provinces report significant financial losses as traders selectively purchase only high-quality produce. This has resulted in farmers contemplating switching to different crops due to sustained low prices. Get today's headlines by email The decrease in demand follows an unusually slow export season to China, a major importer of Vietnamese produce, which traditionally sees a surge in sales post-Lunar New Year. In Gia Lai, with 2,733 hectares of watermelon farms, 90% of the crop still awaits harvest. In Vinh Long, orange farmers face similar woes, with prices as low as VND1,000-3,000 per kilogram, leading to potential losses of VND100-200 million per hectare. Experts attribute the price decline to China enforcing stricter quarantine measures and quality controls. Dang Phuc Nguyen from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association noted this change coincides with overloaded testing facilities in Vietnam, exacerbating delays and increasing economic risks for traders. Additionally, transportation costs have surged due to Middle East conflicts, forcing traders unable to afford export costs to sell locally, worsening the market glut. Traders are now attempting to sell excess produce in urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City at reduced prices. They hope this measure will mitigate losses, with oranges selling at VND5,000 per kilogram and watermelon at VND10,000. Beyond fruit, prices for tomatoes, green beans, and okra have also sharply decreased. Exploring new markets is a strategy some exporters are adopting, targeting nations such as Japan and South Korea, though these efforts are unlikely to immediately replace Chinese market demand. As the financial strains continue, farmers and traders are in urgent need of solutions to these challenges, reported VN Express. Join the discussion? Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 18 Mar 2026
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