Durian prices drop sharply; Pepper prices drop by 1,000 VND/kg in localities

* Durian prices fall sharply

After a period of fever, the price of durian reached nearly 200,000 VND/kg, now it is only about 50,000 VND/kg.

Many fruits in the Mekong Delta are in season with a large harvest. Therefore, the prices of some products are decreasing compared to before. Typically, the price of durian, after a period of fever, at one point reaching nearly 200,000 VND/kg, is now only about 50,000 VND/kg.

Durian prices fell sharply.

According to gardeners, this year’s durian season is good and the quality is quite good. However, the price is only 70,000 - 80,000 VND/kg for medium-sized durians, down more than half from the peak a few months ago. In particular, the price of mangoes has dropped to only a few thousand VND/kg.

Currently, durian continues to be harvested in abundance, meeting both export and domestic consumption needs. With such abundant output, the price of this commodity is unlikely to increase dramatically. Green-skinned grapefruit, oranges, Thai jackfruit, strawberries, etc. still maintain their prices due to competition with other fruits in season.

Not only mango and durian, but fruits such as rambutan, orange and lemon also recorded a price decrease of 2,000 - 6,000 VND compared to last month. With 1.2 million tons of fruit in the southern provinces entering the main season, promoting the preservation, processing and consumption of domestic products is essential to help farmers sell their products.

* Rice price increased by 200 - 300 VND/kg

Today's rice price, May 13, in the Mekong Delta region increased by 200 - 300 VND/kg for fragrant rice 8 and OM 18. Accordingly, at An Giang warehouse, fragrant rice 8 is being purchased by traders at 6,800 - 7,000 VND/kg, an increase of 200 VND/kg; OM 18 fluctuates around 6,600 - 6,800 VND, an increase of 300 VND/kg.

For the remaining rice varieties, prices are stable. Currently, IR 504 rice is being purchased by traders at 6,200 - 6,400 VND/kg; OM 5451 rice at 6,300 - 6,400 VND/kg; Nang Hoa 9 at 6,600 - 6,750 VND/kg; Nhat rice at 7,800 - 8,000 VND/kg; Long An dried sticky rice at 8,600 - 8,800 VND/kg, An Giang dried sticky rice at 8,000 - 8,200 VND/kg and IR 504 dried rice remains at 6,500 VND/kg.

Nam Cat Cooperative, Nam Dan (Nghe An) cooperates with enterprises to purchase rice and consume products to help members feel secure in production. Photo: Viet Phuong

Regarding rice, raw rice prices remained stable at VND9,850/kg, finished rice prices stood at VND11,300/kg.

Regarding by-products, the price of by-products remains stable. Accordingly, the current price of IR 504 rice bran is at 9,400 VND/kg. Meanwhile, dry bran fluctuates around 7,350 - 7,450 VND/kg.

At the retail market, rice prices remained stable after the adjustment session. Accordingly, regular rice is 11,000 - 12,000 VND/kg; Jasmine fragrant rice is 14,000 - 15,000 VND/kg; regular Squirrel rice is 15,000 VND/kg; glutinous rice is 16,000 - 18,000 VND/kg; Nang Nhen rice is 22,000 VND/kg; Common white rice is 14,500 VND/kg; Nang Hoa is 18,500 VND/kg; Thai Squirrel is 18,000 VND/kg; Taiwanese fragrant rice is 20,000 VND/kg; Japanese rice is 22,000 VND/kg; Bran is 7,500 - 8,000 VND/kg; Long grain Thai fragrant rice remains at 18,000 - 19,000 VND/kg and jasmine rice at 19,000 VND/kg.

According to traders, today the amount of raw rice arriving is low, the docks are empty. Prices of all types of rice do not fluctuate much. Summer-autumn rice is stable, prices depend on the time. IR504 rice price is high, in high demand.

In the export market, according to the Vietnam Food Association, the export price of 5% broken rice from Vietnam is at 488 USD/ton; 25% broken rice is at 468 USD/ton; and Jasmine rice is at 553-557 USD/ton.

Statistics show that in April 2023, rice exports recorded an export turnover of 1.56 billion USD; the average export price was 526 USD/ton, 7.6% higher than the same period. Of which, fragrant rice products reached 530 - 540 USD/ton, the highest level ever.

* Pepper price decreased by 1,000 VND/kg in localities

Pepper prices today, May 13, in the domestic market continue to decrease. Currently, pepper prices in key regions fluctuate around 72,000 - 75,500 VND/kg.

Accordingly, in the Central Highlands region, pepper prices today fluctuate around 72,000 - 73,500 VND/kg. Specifically, in Gia Lai, pepper prices today are purchased by traders at 72,000 VND/kg, down 1,000 VND/kg. In Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces, pepper prices today remain stable around 73,500 VND/kg, down 1,000 VND/kg.

Pepper prices fell for the second consecutive session this week.

Similarly, in the Southeast, pepper prices today also decreased by 1,000 VND/kg. Currently, pepper prices in Ba Ria Vung Tau are being purchased by traders at 75,500 VND/kg, down 1,000 VND/kg. In Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc, pepper prices also decreased by 1,000 VND/kg to 75,000 VND/kg.

Thus, today's pepper price has stopped increasing. After 3 consecutive sessions of increase, today's pepper price decreased for the second consecutive session of the week. The pepper market is bustling.

In the world market, at the end of the most recent trading session, the International Pepper Community (IPC) listed the price of Lampung black pepper (Indonesia) at 3,572 USD/ton, up 0.17%; The price of Muntok white pepper was 6,056 USD/ton, up 0.17%.

In the remaining countries, pepper prices remained stable. Specifically, the price of Brazilian black pepper ASTA 570 was at 2,950 USD/ton; the price of Kuching black pepper (Malaysia) ASTA remained at 4,900 USD/ton; the price of Malaysian white pepper ASTA remained at 7,300 USD/ton.

Vietnam's black pepper price is trading at 3,500 USD/ton for 500g/l, 550g/l at 3,600 USD/ton; white pepper price is at 5,000 USD/ton.

Currently, the amount of pepper imported to Vietnam has decreased sharply, reflecting that the market supply is no longer abundant and demand is increasing globally.

While exports have increased sharply, the amount of imported pepper has decreased, making the quantity insufficient for exports. Therefore, businesses are forced to increase domestic purchasing prices to have enough goods for export. Typically, pepper prices have continuously increased sharply since the end of April and the beginning of May. With the current El Nino weather, next year there is a high possibility that the pepper crop will fail and the harvest will be delayed by 2-3 months; export companies must balance their purchases to ensure enough for export to avoid the situation where the warehouse is empty when the delivery deadline comes and they have to buy at any price.

* Gas ​​price increased by 1.42%, gas market has high potential risks

European natural gas prices steadied at their lowest in nearly 22 months as traders weighed signs of a supply glut against forecasts of a harsh summer that could boost fuel demand.

Gas prices in Europe have fallen more than 50% this year, due to factors including strong LNG imports, high fuel stocks after a mild winter and relatively subdued demand in Asian markets.

However, the potential for unusually hot weather and drought this summer remains a major short-term risk and traders are closely monitoring weather forecasts.

In addition, supply-demand fluctuations cannot be ruled out in the coming winter in Asia.

Gas pipeline.

In the domestic market, retail gas prices have slightly increased since May 1 after two consecutive months of sharp decline.

Specifically, the gas price of Pacific Petroleum Trading Joint Stock Company increased by VND2,000/12 kg cylinder and VND8,000/50 kg cylinder. Accordingly, the retail gas price to consumers is a maximum of VND438,500/12 kg cylinder and VND1,826,000/50 kg cylinder.

Petrolimex retail gas cylinder price (including VAT) in May 2023 in Hanoi market is 406,600 VND/12 kg household cylinder; 1,626,300 VND/48 kg industrial cylinder, respectively increasing by 1,360 VND/12 kg cylinder and 5,340 VND/48 kg cylinder (including VAT).

Southern Vietnam LPG Trading Joint Stock Company increased by 167 VND/kg (including VAT), equivalent to 2,000 VND/12kg cylinder and 7,500 VND/45kg cylinder compared to last month. The maximum retail gas price is 420,000 VND/12kg cylinder, about 1,575,000 VND/45kg cylinder, applied from May 1.

Similarly, Saigon Petro Company (SP gas) also increased the price by VND2,000/12 kg cylinder but the maximum retail price is VND401,000/cylinder.

According to gas companies, because the world gas price in April was 555 USD/ton, an increase of 5 USD/ton compared to the previous month, the companies adjusted the price accordingly.

Viet Phuong (according to Congthuong.vn/VTV.vn)