In a recent conversation with Báo Người Lao Động, Mr. Cao Bá Đăng Khoa, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, issued a critical warning about the current state of the fresh coconut market.
The sharp decline in fresh coconut prices is not merely a seasonal fluctuation but a market shock. Currently, export-quality coconuts are priced at only 5,000 to 6,000 VND per fruit, less than half of last year’s rates. While this is an improvement from the 2,000 to 3,000 VND prices during the 2022 “rescue” period when the Chinese market was inaccessible, it remains a cause for concern.
The fresh coconut industry needs to enhance quality and consistency.
Mr. Khoa attributes the issue to the rapid and overheated growth of the fresh coconut sector. Some exporters, prioritizing volume over quality, have shipped containers with mixed coconut sizes, flavors, and varieties, leading to customer dissatisfaction. In one instance, a Chinese buyer rejected an entire shipment, forcing the exporter to resell the coconuts at a significant loss.
During his recent visit to China, Mr. Khoa noted that the Chairman of the Bangxiang Fruit Association directly complained about this inconsistency. Buyers expect uniformity within each container to ensure consumer satisfaction at the retail level.
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