Durian leads charge in 2020 production boost

Fruit farmers in the eastern provinces are looking for a big jump in production next year, with durian leading the pack as high prices entice growers to expand.

The Office of Agricultural Economics forecasts a bigger harvest of durian, mangosteen, rambutan and longong next year, with the fruit starting to reach consumers in April and May.

The rosy outlook follows a Dec 4 survey on prospects for the “fruit bowl” of Thailand — Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. The area covered by prime orchards has expanded 1.84% from early this year to 637,850 rai.

Orchard owners expect to produce 991,620 tonnes of the four fruit next year, up 11.85% from this year.

Durian is expected to lead the increase, up by 15%, followed by rambutan (8.4%), longong (8.1%) and mangosteen 5.6%.

Deputy secretary-general Unchana Tarcho said market prices were the main factor attracting farmers to grow more. Favourable weather forecasts were also a factor, she added.

The average price of durian this year was 99.86 baht per kilogramme, shooting up from 78.16 baht last year, according to the office. Rambutan prices rose slightly to 24.22 baht/kg from 23.14 baht/kg.

The big losers this year were producers of mangosteen, whose price dropped to 29.02 baht from 43.57 baht/kg, with longong falling slightly to 35.34 baht from 36.87 baht.

Ms Unchana said the office will carry out another fruit survey in the eastern provinces in February, with a final harvest projection in March. The survey is used by the fruit industry to prepare management and marketing plans.