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China’s durian prices drop as Vietnam steps in to make up for gaps in Thai supply
- The price of durian in China, the world’s largest market for the tropical fruit with seemingly endless demand, has dropped in recent months
- A greater share of imports from Vietnam, and a severe heatwave which reduced Thailand’s harvest, have been named as contributing factors
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Durian prices in China – the world’s top market for the spiky, pungent fruit typically regarded as a luxury item – have fallen this month as Vietnam gains on Thailand in a heated export rivalry and consumers mind their budgets.
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The online shopping platform Pupu placed the price of a 6kg (13lbs) durian at 179 yuan (US$25) to 209 yuan about a week ago – a drop from a recent price of 279 yuan – and some vendors have cited a low of 10 yuan for half a kilogram.
Zhao Yu, a 37-year-old finance professional, said prices fell this month at her usual fruit store in Shanghai every time the durians began to pile up.
She recalled a low of 24 yuan per 500 grams (18oz) compared to the 28 yuan she normally pays, but said this was not enough variation to affect her twice-monthly purchases.
“When they have a lot, the prices go down,” Zhao said. “When the piles are higher, you can see that clearly.”
Competition for a larger share of China’s seemingly bottomless market has pitted Thailand and Vietnam against each other. Demand for the fruit – a delicacy so popular it has been given as a wedding gift – has risen consistently in China, necessitating more imports as the domestic crop is comparatively tiny.
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