Growing avocados amid changing seasons and markets
Despite fluctuating prices, many farmers in western Lam Dong continue to invest in avocado cultivation. By adopting cleaner production methods and improving fruit quality, they are adapting to market demands, stabilizing their livelihoods, and building a more sustainable future.
Avocados support stable livelihoods
In Dak Ha Residential Areas 6 and 7 of Bac Gia Nghia Ward, endless rows of avocado trees paint the landscape green. Nestled among the orchards are well-built homes, reflecting the important role avocado farming has played in improving local livelihoods.
Dang Thi Thuong’s family, from Dak Ha Residential Area 6, is among the households that have benefited from avocado farming. Her orchard, which is more than 15 years old, provides a stable source of income. At the start of this year’s harvest season, she sold nearly one tonne of 034 avocados and local buttery varieties for VND 40,000 per kilogram. A few days later, prices dropped to around VND 20,000 per kilogram, disappointing many growers.
Despite the decline, Thuong said avocado farming remains profitable. According to her calculations, once an orchard reaches stable production, growers can still earn a profit after covering expenses such as fertilizers, irrigation, and maintenance, as long as prices remain above about VND 12,000 per kilogram.
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Thuong’s family began growing avocados in 2011, when large-scale avocado monoculture was still uncommon in the area. Despite the significant initial investment, they decided to commit to the crop.
Over the years, avocado prices have fluctuated sharply. At one point, the family sold avocados for as much as VND 120,000 per kilogram. Since 2019, however, prices have never returned to those highs.
“Our orchard has been in production for 15 years. There were years when prices were so low that fallen fruit was left rotting beneath the trees, and there were years with decent returns. But I have never considered replacing the avocado trees with another crop,” Thuong said. “Avocados are well suited to the local soil and climate, so production costs remain manageable. In addition, we follow VietGAP standards, which helps us maintain competitive selling prices.
Changing farmers’ mindset
The sharp drop in avocado prices - from VND 40,000 to VND 20,000 per kilogram within days - has affected both growers and traders. Mai Thi Thuy, an avocado buyer in Kien Duc Commune with a decade of experience in the trade, said prices have fluctuated unusually this season.
At the start of the harvest in April, demand for fresh avocados was strong. However, prices have since fallen to just 30 - 40% of their early-season level, partly due to weaker demand from export markets such as Thailand and Cambodia.
Despite the decline, Thuy believes current prices remain profitable for farmers. She said maintaining stable returns depends largely on growers adopting high-quality varieties, following clean production standards, and harvesting fruit at the right stage of maturity to ensure quality
I was amazed by the understanding and insight shown by an avocado trader. Her perspective offered a clearer picture of the changes taking place in this avocado-growing region, where farmers are increasingly focused on improving fruit quality, meeting market demands, and investing in processing to ensure long-term sustainability.
According to both agricultural officials and local farmers, western Lam Dong offers favorable conditions for avocado cultivation. A range of varieties are grown across the region, including local buttery avocados, 034, Booth, Cuba, Hass, and Red avocados.
Although official figures are not yet complete, the region is estimated to have around 3,200 hectares of avocado orchards, producing roughly 16,000 tonnes annually. Under the provincial plan, avocados are expected to account for about 24% of the area’s total fruit-growing land, with up to 5,450 hectares designated for cultivation, leaving considerable room for expansion.
Local growers have also become more aware of market realities. Rather than repeatedly switching crops in response to short-term price fluctuations, many are choosing to grow avocados, a crop well suited to the region, while focusing on clean production and higher-quality fruit. Their aim is to be better positioned when market conditions improve.