Vietnamese Mango Farmers in Distress

Vo Xuan Hien, a 60-year-old mango farmer in Khanh Hoa Province, is facing an unprecedented challenge. For the first time in eight years, he's leaving tons of ripe mangoes unharvested due to a dramatic price drop from VND30,000 to just VND5,000–8,000 (20-30 U.S. cents) per kilogram.

China's Reduced Demand Hits Hard

The primary reason for the plummeting prices is a significant decrease in demand from China, the largest buyer of mangoes from the district. Huynh Uy Vien, the vice chairman, notes that China's expansion in mango production has led to fewer imports, severely impacting local farmers.

Domestic Sales and Processing as Alternatives

With up to 1,800 tons of mangoes ready for harvest unsold, efforts are underway to boost domestic consumption and process the fruit into products like dried mango and juice. Dang The Thuyen, CEO of Camlamonline, is among those trying to help farmers by purchasing mangoes for processing, despite the challenges posed by unfavorable weather affecting fruit quality.

Farmers' Financial Struggles

Many farmers, including Thao, are facing significant losses, with some expecting to lose up to VND100 million this season. The situation is dire, with ripe mangoes falling and traders offering minimal prices, leaving farmers in a precarious position.