At the beginning of the 2024 crop, the price of fresh coffee in Muong Ang district, Dien Bien province is very high, up to 16,000-16,500 VND/kg compared to previous years at only 8,000-10,000 VND/kg. With a coffee area of more than 2,100 hectares and an output of about 30,000 tons, it promises to bring a significant source of income to farmers in the poor district.
As one of the largest coffee growers in the village, Mr. Ly A Sua’s family in Tat He village, Ang Nua commune, Muong Ang district has about 8 hectares of Arabica coffee. Mr. Sua said: “Although the expected output is lower than last year due to the prolonged drought at the beginning of the year, my family is still very excited because the price of fresh coffee is currently at a record high compared to previous years.”
In the 2023 coffee crop, Mr. Sua's family earned about 500 million VND. Although this year's coffee yield is not as high as last year's, with the current coffee price, Mr. Sua is still very optimistic and believes that he will earn about 600 million VND.
“Since the beginning of the coffee season, my family has sold more than 10 tons. Every day, in addition to the family’s four main workers, I have to hire about 20 more people to pick coffee in time for the season,” Mr. Sua added.
The continuous increase in coffee prices in recent years has brought a breath of fresh air to many households in Muong Ang district. With 6 hectares of coffee, of which 4 hectares are being harvested, Mr. Ly Giong Kha, also in Tat He village, said: “Previously, coffee prices were very unstable, some years only 5,000 VND/kg. But in recent years, prices have continuously increased, my family's income has been much more stable. Each year, we earn about 400 million VND after deducting expenses.”
With over 10 years of experience growing coffee, Mr. Kha said that every year his family attends training courses organized by the Farmers' Association at all levels and the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of the district. Since then, he has mastered the techniques of planting, caring for and processing coffee, helping the plants grow well and produce high yields.
A good harvest and good price of coffee not only brings joy to growers but also brings a significant source of income to many local workers. Ms. Lo Thi Hoa in Tra village, Ang To commune - said: "With the current harvesting wage of 3,500-4,000 VND/kg, on average, a person can earn 300,000 - 400,000 VND per day."
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Bui Thi Viet Ha - owner of Ha Chung Coffee - said that to increase the value of Arabica coffee trees, farmers have focused on organic farming, increased care and irrigation, especially during the dry season. These measures not only help increase productivity and fruit quality but also improve the nutritional value of coffee beans.
Mr. Tran Quang Trung - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Muong Ang district said that in the past 3 years, the price of coffee fluctuated from 10,000-17,000 VND/kg of fresh fruit. The average yield reached 15 tons/ha/year, the whole district achieved an output of about 30,000 tons/year. By 2025, the expected output of fresh coffee will reach about 33,000 tons.
This year alone, with an average price of VND16,000/kg, Arabica coffee will bring in an income of about VND480 billion to farmers in Muong Ang district. In addition, coffee trees also create jobs for thousands of manual workers, from weeding, pruning, fertilizing and especially harvesting.
