"Black gold" harvest is good, price increases
Pepper harvest is still nearly a month away, but many farmers are happy to see prices increase sharply. According to records, over the past month, pepper prices have fluctuated between 144,000-145,000 VND/kg. This price has increased nearly 3 times compared to 2018 (when pepper prices hit rock bottom).
With the above prices, farmers have the right to hope for a bumper and successful crop. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet - Nhan Co commune, Dak R'lap district (Dak Nong) - said that her family has nearly 2 hectares of pepper in the business period. In about 1 month, the pepper garden will be ready for harvest.
Talking about pepper prices, Ms. Tuyet excitedly said: “I am very happy because pepper has a good price. Every day I update the news to keep track of prices as well as market developments. It has been a long time since pepper prices have increased again. According to research, today's pepper price in Dak Nong is purchased at about 145,000 VND/kg. This is a price that brings high profits to farmers.”
Currently, Ms. Tuyet's pepper garden is in the stage of growing fruit and firming seeds. Therefore, Ms. Tuyet actively visits the garden, promptly detects pests or other abnormalities for early treatment. Ms. Tuyet hopes that with favorable weather, pepper prices will remain at the current level, resulting in a bumper crop.
Mr. Nguyen Hai Duong, in Nam Binh commune, Dak Song district (Dak Nong), is also happy that pepper prices have increased sharply. He confided that his family has more than 1 hectare of pepper. This has been his family's "rice bowl" for many years. Therefore, Mr. Duong closely monitors any fluctuations in prices or weather developments.
“This year the weather is favorable, with steady rain and humidity suitable for the growth and development of pepper plants. Therefore, I hope this year the pepper crop will be good. I also monitor pepper prices every day. The increase in pepper prices before the harvest is a good sign, creating excitement for farmers,” Mr. Duong shared.
Farmers have high hopes for pepper after many ups and downs
After many ups and downs, pepper farmers in Dak Nong can smile with hope. Pepper is considered “black gold” and once had a golden age when the price exceeded 200,000 VND/kg. Since then, many Dak Nong farmers have become rich thanks to pepper, many barefoot billionaires have appeared, with mansions, luxury cars…
However, the golden age quickly passed. While farmers spent all their capital, even borrowed more money to expand the area, pepper suddenly plummeted. From a peak of 220,000 VND/kg, pepper prices dropped to only 40,000-45,000 VND/kg in 2018 and 2019.
Not only did the price drop, pepper also suffered from diseases that caused it to die quickly and slowly. Just like that, lush pepper gardens suddenly became bare and desolate. Many gardens were left with only lifeless concrete pillars. Many poor people had to leave their hometowns and go to foreign lands to make a living. Majestic houses were hung with “for sale” signs… The pepper acreage of the country in general and Dak Nong in particular decreased significantly. Then, now pepper growers have been able to recover when pepper prices increased again.
According to statistics, Dak Nong is the leading locality in the country, known as the pepper capital in terms of area, reaching about 33,985 hectares. Pepper output reached 70,685 tons, an increase of 28,458 tons compared to 2018.
