Mr. Le Phuoc Hung, a farmer in An Thanh commune (Can Tho city) who has just sold 1.2 hectares of natural coconut (1,540 fruits) said that he has been attached to coconut trees for almost his entire life but he has never seen prices increase as much as they do now. If 5 months ago traders bought 177,000 VND/dozen, now it has increased to 190,000 VND/dozen (12 stocks).
"In recent years, all household spending has been on monthly coconut sales. Therefore, when coconut prices increase, we farmers are very excited because we have a significant income, a better life and accumulation conditions," said Mr. Hung.
Mr. Hung added that at the time of the peak harvest, the 1.5-hectare coconut garden could produce more than 1-1,5 natural coconuts per batch, but currently about 80% of them are preparing for the main crop. Currently, the family is actively taking care of the trees to make them grow and reach their size.
Also in An Thanh commune (Can Tho city), Ms. Huynh Thi Tung Anh has just sold 1.4 natural coconuts for 190,000 VND/dozen. She said that the last time she sold it, she sold it for 200,000 VND/dozen. This is the highest price in this island nation. "The price is high but unfortunately the garden has not had much fruit because it is not yet in the harvest season. In about 2 months, the coconut will not be harvested, and it can harvest 3-4 ripe fruits" she shared.
Mr. Thanh Nhanh's family in An Thanh commune (Can Tho city) said - with 5,000m2 of garden, on average, every 1 - 1.5 months, the family harvests a few hundred to a thousand coconuts at once, earning about 5-6 million VND. In addition, thanks to sucking coconuts, he earns several hundred thousand a day from picking for hire.
According to statistics, the two communes of An Thanh and Cu Lao Dung (Can Tho city) formerly Cu Lao Dung district (Soc Trang province) have a large coconut growing area in Can Tho city with about nearly 3,000 hectares, fruit growing area about 2,000 hectares. Currently, the price of dried coconuts in An Thanh commune is from 170,000 - 200,000 VND/dozen, while in Cu Lao Dung commune is from 130,000 - 150,000 VND/dozen. The reason for the difference is the difference in the quality and size of the fruit. On average, 1 hectare of coconut is about 1,041 hectares. In the area, there are currently enterprises building an organic coconut production model, along with 8 growing area codes with an area of over 314 hectares.
A trader in An Thanh commune (Can Tho city) commented: "Cu Lao Dung dried coconut has never had such a high price, even though the fruit is smaller than grown in Vinh Long province. It is expected that in the next 1-2 months of the main crop, the price may decrease but still be at 100,000 - 120,000 VND/dozen".
Meanwhile, in Vinh Long province, the largest coconut growing region in the country with about 120,000 hectares, the price of dried coconut has skyrocketed to 250,000 VND/dozen.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dung, a farmer and trader in Phu Tan ward (Vinh Long province), explained: "Currently, the supply of dried coconuts is scarce because the plants are producing water, it will take 6 months for the old Ben Tre area to have a large harvest. Previously, black-headed caterpillars were severely damaged, it took people 1-2 years to restore the garden, so the current output is low".
Mr. Phan Van Men - Director of Tan Hoi Mo Cay Investment and Trading Company Limited, said: Traders are purchasing dried coconuts at a price of 220,000 - 240,000 VND/dozen, type 1 is about 250,000 VND/dozen. Thailand is consuming strongly, so businesses are focusing on boosting the amount of goods to this market. It is expected that from November, Vinh Long farmers will have a big harvest. Due to the off-season, dry coconut prices remain high.
According to some traders, the reason for the sharp increase in dry coconut prices in recent times is not only due to the export market but also due to domestic demand, especially for processing cakes and candy for the Lunar New Year.
