The Land of Durian Delights: Unveiling the Unique Scenery of the Durian Capital

Krong Pac, the district known as the “durian capital” of Dak Lak, is currently in the midst of its harvest season. However, along the roads leading to the orchards, the atmosphere is unusually quiet for this time of year.

Traveling along National Highway 26 (in the Krong Pac district), our Tien Phong reporters observed numerous closed warehouses, some with “for rent” or “for sale” signs. There were also open warehouses, but with minimal stock, and at the time of our visit, no goods were present. There was a noticeable decrease in the number of vehicles transporting durian, and the once bustling trade seemed to have slowed.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Truong Sa, a resident of Ea Kenh commune in Krong Pac district, this year’s durian harvest has been less lively than previous years. Normally, by this time, container trucks would be bustling in and out of the warehouses. However, this year, the atmosphere is noticeably quieter.

Ms. Sa’s family owns a property that is often rented out as a durian trading location. In previous years, as the harvest season approached, traders from all over would flock to rent spaces and warehouses for their durian business. This year, however, many warehouses remain unoccupied.

Ms. Ngo Thi Minh Trinh, Vice Chairman of the Krong Pac People’s Committee, shared that the local government has been actively managing the construction of durian warehouses and addressing land and construction regulation violations. They have even gone as far as to cut off electricity to facilities that are in violation of the rules.

Ms. Trinh added that during the previous season, there was a sharp increase in the demand for warehouses, leading to some cases of illegal construction. The Krong Pac People’s Committee took action and strictly handled these violations, resulting in many facilities on agricultural land undergoing the proper procedures to legalize their land use.

The Vice Chairman emphasized that due to the lack of competition in the market this season, many durian storage warehouses remain unoccupied. The local government is facilitating the process for traders, businesses, and exporters, but everyone must adhere to the law.

Mr. Vu Duc Con, Chairman of the Dak Lak Durian Association, attributed the subdued market to the heavy rains over the past three weeks, which have led to reduced cutting and purchasing of durian to maintain product quality. Additionally, China has intensified its inspection of goods in accordance with the signed protocol, ensuring that only high-quality durian enters their market. Despite this, the demand for durian in China remains strong.