Fresh coconut prices in the Mekong Delta region have plummeted to VND 30,000 – 40,000 per dozen (12 coconuts), equivalent to VND 5,000 – 6,000 per kilogram for export-quality produce. This marks the lowest price point since Vietnam officially began exporting fresh coconuts to China in October 2024.
Mr. Truong Tan Tuan, Director of Energy Coconut Co., Ltd. (Vinh Long), attributes the price drop to oversupply during the rainy season, where increased yields coincide with reduced consumption. However, Mr. Cao Ba Dang Khoa, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, suggests the steep price decline is more than seasonal—it’s a market shock.
He argues that the fresh coconut sector has overheated, with numerous companies exporting without quality control. “Some containers shipped to China resemble a ‘mixed hotpot,’ containing various coconut varieties, sizes, and flavors. This inconsistency leads to customer returns, forcing businesses to resell at lower prices domestically,” Mr. Khoa explains.
Fresh coconuts are now Vietnam’s flagship fruit export. |
During a recent meeting with the Bangxiang Fruit Association (China), importers highlighted Vietnam’s inconsistent coconut quality. “Each purchase varies in quality, making it challenging to maintain consumer trust,” Mr. Khoa quoted the partners.
Vietnam cultivates 16 coconut varieties for drinking, often intercropped in orchards. Farmers prefer selling entire harvests to traders, complicating sorting and selection for export. Sustainable growth requires production planning, quality enhancement, and transparency—a shift from the current ad-hoc development. Farmers must maintain cultivation logs, a practice rarely adopted.
In the U.S. market, Mr. Khoa noted a Chicago supermarket retailing fresh coconuts at USD 4.39 each (approximately VND 120,000), indicating significant potential. However, markets like the U.S. and EU demand stringent sustainable production, social responsibility, and fair trade standards.
The coconut sector’s challenges echo those of dragon fruit and durian during their peak periods. Mr. Dang Phuoc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, noted dragon fruit exports once exceeded USD 1 billion annually but now hover around USD 500 million due to lost competitiveness.
Durian, which surged in exports early 2024, faced an 80% export decline after China tightened cadmium and artificial coloring controls. “Durian cultivation is complex, and China’s Hainan trials have failed, giving Vietnam an edge. However, without quality improvements and process innovation, this advantage will vanish,” Mr. Nguyen warned.
Proactive quality control and competitiveness through innovation are essential for Vietnamese businesses and farmers to maintain market leadership.
Article and photo: Ngoc Anh
– 06:19 18/10/2025
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