Farmers in Krong Pac are now harvesting the 2025 durian crop. This is the most stable durian season in recent years in terms of pricing.

Le Cong Loc, born 1972, from hamlet 6B, Krong Pac commune, grows 100 durian trees. In 2024, his orchard yielded 15 tons of fruit. Thanks to favorable weather and his farming experience, Loc estimates a harvest of about 20 tons this year.

Since the beginning of the season, durian prices have remained around VND60,000 per kg. Compared to previous years, the price has been much more stable. After deducting costs, his family is expected to earn around VND1 billion.

Loc estimated that the annual cost to care for a single durian tree is about VND1 million. On average, each tree yields 100-200 kg of fruit. At a price of around VND60,000 per kg, each tree brings in a profit of VND5-10 million. 

"This year, many families in the hamlet are earning from VND500 million to VND1 billion. Compared to pepper, durian provides a more sustainable and profitable of income. Durian has brought prosperity not only to my family but to the entire community," he said.

Similarly, the 65 durian trees on Nguyen Huong's farm (Krong Pac commune) are also in peak harvest, expected to yield nearly 12 tons.

Huong estimates that at current prices, his family can earn about VND600 million which ensures good living conditions and education for his children.

Bustling ‘durian road’

The durian harvest in Krong Pac (Dak Lak) is in full swing. National Highway 26 has turned into a "durian road" as thousands of vehicles transporting durians and traders pass by daily. The dense presence of durian collection facilities further highlights the fruit's market appeal.

On the morning of September 3, the 28-km stretch of Highway 26 from Tan Lap ward to Krong Pac commune became one of the busiest roads in Dak Lak, lined with durian laden containers and trucks parked on both sides.

Inside each durian warehouse, tens of workers were seen working around the clock to keep up with shipments.

Nguyen Xuan Bang (born 1982), a long-time durian trader in Dak Lak, said that in recent days, his company has been purchasing durians from local farmers for export to China. Most of the durians they buy come from Krong Pac commune.

According to Bang, since August 25, durian prices have ranged from VND55,000 to VND65,000 per kg. His company purchases durians at market prices to ensure fairness for farmers.

"I've been in the durian business for four years, but I've never seen the market so vibrant. Not just my company, but hundreds of others have flocked to Krong Pac to buy durians. This year, thanks to stable prices and improved quality, both traders and farmers are happy," he said.

Lai Duc Dai, chair of Krong Pac commune, said this year's durian season has many favorable conditions: good prices, consistent fruit quality, and favorable weather.

The market is highly flexible, so farmers can sell premium-quality fruit at high prices, while substandard ones can still be sold to freezing units. This ensures market access and maximizes profits for farmers.

Krong Pac commune is not only the first place in Dak Lak to grow durian, but has also become a hub for buying, packing, and exporting the fruit across the region.

"We are proud to be called the 'durian capital'. The collection facilities in Krong Pac not only buy durians from the province, but also help consume products from other provinces like Gia Lai, Lam Dong, and Dong Nai, creating a very dynamic market. Thanks to durian, people's lives have improved day by day," Dai said.

Krong Pac commune currently has 2,800 ha of durian, with a 2025 yield estimated at 42,000 tons. Before the 2025 season, the commune government placed special emphasis on managing plantation codes and packing facilities to ensure credibility and quality.

Recently, durians in some other localities have been found contaminated with auramine O and cadmium, causing major losses for both farmers and traders. However, no cases of contamination have been found so far in Dak Lak province or Krong Pac commune.

Tam An