DA LAT – As 2025 draws to a close, Vietnam’s agricultural heartlands are witnessing an unprecedented price surge. Led by the "triad" of coffee, pepper, and the prized Ri6 durian, export-driven demand is delivering a lucrative windfall for farmers across the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta.
The "King of Fruits" Reaches New Heights
The spotlight of the current market rally is firmly on Ri6 Durian. Known for its vibrant yellow flesh and premium quality, the Ri6 variety has officially hit the 62,000 VND/kg milestone at the farm gate.
Market analysts attribute this spike to a "perfect storm" of low off-season supply and insatiable demand from the Chinese market. With the Lunar New Year approaching, export orders have intensified, pushing prices nearly 20% higher compared to the same period last year. For many farmers in the Mekong Delta, this price point represents one of the most profitable harvests in recent memory.
Coffee and Pepper: The Dual Surge
While durian dominates the headlines, Vietnam’s traditional industrial crops - coffee and pepper - are experiencing a simultaneous boom.
Coffee: Amidst global supply tightening and a shift toward high-quality Robusta, domestic coffee prices have climbed steadily, buoyed by Vietnam’s strengthening position in the global supply chain.
Black Pepper: Often referred to as "black gold," pepper prices have rebounded sharply as global inventories hit multi-year lows, forcing international buyers to compete aggressively for Vietnamese stock.
A $920 Billion Backdrop
This agricultural surge is a primary engine behind Vietnam’s record-breaking trade performance in 2025. With the country’s total import-export turnover estimated at $920 billion, the agricultural sector has proven to be a resilient pillar of the national economy.
"The quality of Vietnamese produce has reached a tipping point where we are no longer just competing on volume, but on premium standards," says a trade expert based in Ho Chi Minh City. "When you see Ri6 durian and specialty coffee commanding these prices, it reflects a global trust in the 'Made in Vietnam' brand."
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the Personal Data Protection Law and other digital regulations prepare to take effect on January 1st, the agricultural sector is also looking toward high-tech solutions. From blockchain-based origin tracing for durians to AI-driven weather forecasting for coffee plantations, the "digital transformation" of Vietnamese farming is expected to sustain this growth momentum well into the new year.
For now, however, the mood in the rural provinces is one of celebration. As the final trucks of 2025 head toward the border crossings, Vietnam’s farmers are looking at a very prosperous start to 2026.