Harvesting mangosteen in Bình Dương Province. – VNA/VNS Photo Huyền Trang

BÌNH DƯƠNG – Mangosteen farmers in the southeastern province of Bình Dương have had a bumper crop of mangosteen this season because of long periods of hot weather, low rainfall, and support from local authorities.

The province, one of the country’s largest mangosteen producers, has more than 1,000ha of mangosteen.

In Thuận An Town, the province’s largest mangosteen area, crops in An Thạnh, Hưng Định and Bình Nhâm wards and An Sơn Commune have increased by 15 – 20 per cent against last year, according to orchard owners.

The harvest season for the fruit normally begins in lunar May and lasts for about three months.

In Thuận An Town, mangosteen has been cultivated since the 19th century and is famous for its delicious taste.

Lê Thị Kim Hương, who has a nearly 100-year old mangosteen orchard in Bình Nhâm Ward, said the yield is expected to increase by 20 per cent against last year.

Local authorities upgraded the irrigation system, which also helped produce higher yields, she said, adding that farmers had received funds from the local authorities to buy fertiliser.

The An Sơn Commune Agricultural Service Co-operative has 11 members growing mangosteen. Seven of the members grow mangosteen on a total area of 14ha under good agricultural practices (VietGAP) standards.

The co-operative has harvested more than 50 tonnes of mangosteen, up nearly 20 tonnes against last year. The co-operative’s mangosteen orchard earned a profit of about VNĐ200 million (US$8,590) each.

Traders are buying mangosteen for VNĐ50,000 – 80,000 ($2.2 – 3.4) a kilogramme.

Trần Văn Viễn, owner of the An Sơn Agricultural Service Co-operative, said the province had promoted exports of mangosteen from An Sơn Commune to China under official channels next month, but there are no mangosteens left for export.  

Nguyễn Thị Bích Đào, a fruit shop owner in Thuận An’s An Thạnh Ward, said the price of mangosteen is normally high and stable compared to other fruits. Market demand is high.

In Dầu Tiếng District, farmers received a collective brand name for the district’s mangosteens last month.

The district’s Thanh Tuyền Commune has about 220 households growing mangosteen. Of the households, nine are growing 6.6ha of mangosteen to VietGAP standards.

Planted in the commune 10 years ago, mangosteen has helped improve the lives of many local farmers.  

Nguyễn Thị Hưng, deputy head of the province’s Plant Cultivation and Protection Sub-department, said that special policies had helped specialty fruit orchards .

In Thuận An, local agricultural officials have organised courses to provide fruit farming techniques for farmers, she said. – VNS