Rubber prices in Nghe An have returned to their golden age.
For over a month now, rubber prices have unexpectedly surged back to their peak, much to the delight of rubber farmers in Nghe An, as prices had been consistently low for a long time prior.
Visiting the rubber plantations in Nghia Hong commune, Nghia Dan district, one can see farmers busily tapping rubber latex. Mr. Le Van Nghia from Nghia Hong commune shared: "My family cultivates nearly 2 hectares of rubber trees. For more than 3 years, the price of rubber was always low, only reaching 15,000 VND/kg (fresh latex after processing). Since the beginning of June 2024, the price of rubber latex has suddenly increased, returning to its golden age, reaching over 23,000 VND/kg. With the current selling price, rubber growers not only make a profit but also have additional funds for care and harvesting."
According to some rubber farmers in Nghia Dan district, despite the high price of latex, people are still harvesting using proper techniques, avoiding excessive latex extraction, in order to ensure the sustainable development of the rubber trees. In some rubber plantations during the establishment phase, to mitigate the negative effects of hot weather, some farmers are applying the traditional solution of using straw, weeds, etc., to cover the base of the rubber trees, then digging up the soil and mulching it.
Mr. Hoang Thanh Tung, Deputy General Director of Nghe An Coffee and Rubber Company Limited, said: The company has over 1,800 hectares of rubber plantations, concentrated in Thai Hoa town and Nghia Dan district. Previously, when prices were low, the factory could only process 50 tons per month; for nearly a month now, with rising rubber prices, the factory has been processing over 300 tons per month. There is virtually no inventory, and the factory cannot keep up with the demand from traders. The rubber is mainly sold in the domestic market and China.
Previously, the purchase price of rubber latex from the raw material area was 15,000 VND/kg, but now it fluctuates between 21,000 and 23,000 VND/kg. As a result, rubber growers are making a profit and can confidently take care of their plantations.
To ensure efficient rubber tapping, right from the beginning of the season, Nghe An Coffee - Rubber Company Limited has directed its technical staff to guide, inspect, and supervise the tapping process, evaluate management, exploitation techniques, production operation, and product management at the plantations, ensuring improved production efficiency. The company advises farmers to focus on caring for rubber trees that are currently in the harvesting period.
In Tan Phu commune (Tan Ky district), some rubber plantations that previously had to stop tapping latex because the harvest was not enough to cover labor costs are now being actively cared for and tapped for latex by local people. Mr. Tran Van Tuan, a hired rubber tapper, shared: "With the high price of latex, rubber plantation owners are making a profit, and we also have work. Tapping latex earns us 300,000-400,000 VND per day, which helps us cover our living expenses."
Mr. Vu Hong Diem, Director of Song Con Agricultural Joint Stock Company, said: "Our company currently has over 700 hectares of rubber trees, mainly concentrated in Tan Phu commune. Previously, prices were low, and we only purchased 10-15 tons of latex per month. Now, with the high prices, the factory has been operating at full capacity in recent days, reaching 65 tons of latex per month. We expect to process and sell 350 tons of finished rubber products in 2024 (an increase of 150 tons compared to last year). The high rubber prices have made local rubber growers very happy, encouraging them to care for and fertilize their trees to achieve high yields."
Mr. Nguyen Van Thuat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of 1/5 One-Member Limited Liability Company (Nghia Dan), stated: Currently, the company only has over 70 hectares of rubber trees in Nghia Tho and Nghia Phu communes (Nghia Dan). The raw material supply is insufficient for the rubber processing plant, forcing the company to purchase rubber latex from Thanh Hoa province, but even that is difficult due to competition from many other traders.
Nghe An province has potential for rubber cultivation; the entire province currently has over 10,000 hectares of rubber trees, mainly concentrated in the districts of Anh Son, Nghia Dan, Tan Ky, and Que Phong, producing approximately over 6,000 tons of processed rubber annually.
However, the rubber industry in Nghe An is facing difficulties. Most of the equipment in processing plants is outdated and obsolete, significantly affecting product quality. Nghe An's processed rubber products do not meet export standards; some shipments have been returned to other countries, mainly due to defects and impurities.
According to experts, rubber is a multi-purpose crop that has both economic value and environmental protection benefits, contributing to the restructuring of the agricultural and rural economy, improving and raising the income and living standards of people in the mountainous areas of Nghe An province. It is also a long-term industrial crop with high economic value.
Therefore, to ensure the sustainable development of rubber plantations, localities need to review and increase investment in improving the quality of plantations. Focus should be placed on intensive cultivation, improving the efficiency of existing plantations, and replanting in promising areas. The government needs to implement mechanisms and policies to support rubber growers, such as promoting technology transfer and agricultural extension services, and prioritizing loan access to enable people to care for and invest in their rubber plantations.
To ensure stable rubber output, Nghe An needs to attract businesses to invest in modern rubber processing plants that meet export standards, increasing product value and enabling farmers to make a living from rubber cultivation.
