Vietnam's coconut prices plummet during the off-season, quality varies leading to frequent returns in the Chinese market.
Published Nov 13, 2025
Tridge summary
After maintaining record-high prices for a long period, the price of fresh coconuts in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region has dropped significantly. Currently, the price of each coconut is approximately 3,000 Vietnamese Dong, equivalent to about 0.8 Chinese Yuan.
A coconut farmer in Vinh Long Province stated that the coconuts are now ready for harvest, but traders are offering only 40,000 Dong per dozen (12 pieces), while the price in August was as high as 100,000 to 130,000 Dong per dozen. He said that since the beginning of the year, coconut farmers have had good profits, but the weak market demand at the end of the year has caused a sharp drop in prices.
Similar situations have occurred in most coconut plantations in the western part of Vietnam. Traders and export companies reported that the current purchase price for first-grade coconuts is 40,000 to 50,000 Dong per dozen, which is in line with the off-season levels of previous years.
A report from the Import and Export Bureau of the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade pointed out that the drop in coconut prices is not only happening in Vietnam but also in Thailand. By the end of October, the price of fresh coconuts in Songkhla Province, Thailand, was only equivalent to 1,300 to 2,100 Dong per piece, even lower than the production cost. The department stated that the inconsistent quality of coconuts and difficulties in market access are the main challenges faced by Thai coconut farmers, forcing them to seek solutions to stabilize prices and enhance their competitiveness in the Chinese market.
Cao Ba Dang Khoa, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, said that in addition to seasonal factors, the sharp drop in fresh coconut prices is also due to the "market shock" caused by the rapid growth of exports. He said, "Many companies are purchasing large quantities of coconuts, but the screening is not strict, leading to coconuts of varying sizes and tastes being mixed together and exported to China in containers. Some batches of coconuts are returned, forcing traders to sell them domestically at low prices."
Khoa said that during his recent trip to China, a representative from the Pingxiang Fruit Association reported that many batches of Vietnamese coconuts were returned due to issues such as uneven sweetness, lack of traceability information, or planting area codes. He added, "Customers in Shanghai or Beijing are willing to pay a high price for coconuts, but if the quality is unstable, Vietnamese companies will find it difficult to maintain their market share."
The Vietnam Coconut Association believes that international market demands for coconuts are increasing because the quality requirements for fresh coconuts, which are consumed directly, are much higher than those for coconuts used for processing. Currently, the retail price of fresh coconuts in the Beijing market is about 90,000 Dong per piece (24.3 Yuan), while the price in the United States is as high as 120,000 Dong (32.4 Yuan). Importers only select coconuts from planting areas with international certifications and sustainable production.
Most of Vietnam's coconut planting areas are still in a spontaneous state, with an oversupply of coconuts on one hand and a severe shortage of products that meet export standards on the other. Khoa suggested re-planning the planting areas, applying traceability technology, and clearly marking the planting area codes, quality indicators, and planting records. He emphasized, "Thailand is able to export fresh coconuts to Europe at a price of 4.39 USD per piece due to its strict management of planting areas. Vietnam needs to follow this practice to achieve sustainable competitiveness."
According to customs statistics, Vietnam's export value of fresh coconuts in the first nine months of this year reached 138 million USD, with a year-on-year growth of nearly 17%.
A coconut farmer in Vinh Long Province stated that the coconuts are now ready for harvest, but traders are offering only 40,000 Dong per dozen (12 pieces), while the price in August was as high as 100,000 to 130,000 Dong per dozen. He said that since the beginning of the year, coconut farmers have had good profits, but the weak market demand at the end of the year has caused a sharp drop in prices.
Similar situations have occurred in most coconut plantations in the western part of Vietnam. Traders and export companies reported that the current purchase price for first-grade coconuts is 40,000 to 50,000 Dong per dozen, which is in line with the off-season levels of previous years.
A report from the Import and Export Bureau of the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade pointed out that the drop in coconut prices is not only happening in Vietnam but also in Thailand. By the end of October, the price of fresh coconuts in Songkhla Province, Thailand, was only equivalent to 1,300 to 2,100 Dong per piece, even lower than the production cost. The department stated that the inconsistent quality of coconuts and difficulties in market access are the main challenges faced by Thai coconut farmers, forcing them to seek solutions to stabilize prices and enhance their competitiveness in the Chinese market.
Cao Ba Dang Khoa, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Coconut Association, said that in addition to seasonal factors, the sharp drop in fresh coconut prices is also due to the "market shock" caused by the rapid growth of exports. He said, "Many companies are purchasing large quantities of coconuts, but the screening is not strict, leading to coconuts of varying sizes and tastes being mixed together and exported to China in containers. Some batches of coconuts are returned, forcing traders to sell them domestically at low prices."
Khoa said that during his recent trip to China, a representative from the Pingxiang Fruit Association reported that many batches of Vietnamese coconuts were returned due to issues such as uneven sweetness, lack of traceability information, or planting area codes. He added, "Customers in Shanghai or Beijing are willing to pay a high price for coconuts, but if the quality is unstable, Vietnamese companies will find it difficult to maintain their market share."
The Vietnam Coconut Association believes that international market demands for coconuts are increasing because the quality requirements for fresh coconuts, which are consumed directly, are much higher than those for coconuts used for processing. Currently, the retail price of fresh coconuts in the Beijing market is about 90,000 Dong per piece (24.3 Yuan), while the price in the United States is as high as 120,000 Dong (32.4 Yuan). Importers only select coconuts from planting areas with international certifications and sustainable production.
Most of Vietnam's coconut planting areas are still in a spontaneous state, with an oversupply of coconuts on one hand and a severe shortage of products that meet export standards on the other. Khoa suggested re-planning the planting areas, applying traceability technology, and clearly marking the planting area codes, quality indicators, and planting records. He emphasized, "Thailand is able to export fresh coconuts to Europe at a price of 4.39 USD per piece due to its strict management of planting areas. Vietnam needs to follow this practice to achieve sustainable competitiveness."
According to customs statistics, Vietnam's export value of fresh coconuts in the first nine months of this year reached 138 million USD, with a year-on-year growth of nearly 17%.
Original content
After maintaining record-high prices for a long period, the price of fresh coconuts in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region has dropped significantly. Currently, the price per coconut is approximately 3,000 Vietnamese Dong, equivalent to about 0.8 Chinese Yuan. A coconut farmer in Vinh Long Province stated that the coconuts have reached the harvest period, but traders are offering only 40,000 Dong per dozen (12 pieces), while the price in August was as high as 100,000 to 130,000 Dong per dozen. He said that since the beginning of the year, coconut farmers have had good profits, but the weak market demand at the end of the year has led to a sharp drop in prices. A similar situation has occurred in most coconut plantations in western Vietnam. Traders and export companies reported that the current purchase price for first-class coconuts is 40,000 to 50,000 Dong per dozen, which is in line with the off-season levels of previous years. A report from the Import and Export Bureau of the Vietnam ...
Source: Guojiguoshu
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