Hot weather, sugarcane drinks attract customers, prices increase

These days, Mr. Bui Van Mai, Hamlet 6, Dien Dong (Dien Chau) is busy harvesting sugarcane to import to traders. He said: "My family has 2 sao of sugarcane, in previous years we harvested sugarcane to make molasses, but later we switched to selling it to the market to make soft drinks because molasses is difficult to consume. Currently, the price of sugarcane has increased to 7,000 VND/tree (last year the price was 5,000 VND/tree).

People in Dien Dong (Dien Chau) harvest sugarcane to make soft drinks. Photo: Quang An

Due to high demand, sugarcane is purchased by traders as soon as it is harvested. Mr. Nguyen Duc Tan - a trader in Dien Dong commune (Dien Chau) said: This year, sugarcane prices have increased, for silver sugarcane, it has increased by 2,000 - 3,000 VND/tree, currently priced at 7,000 VND/tree. Red sugarcane has increased by 4,000 - 5,000 VND/tree compared to before, currently priced at about 12,000 VND/tree.

Traders transport sugarcane for consumption. Photo: Quang An

Dien Dong is the commune that grows the most sugarcane in Dien Chau district with more than 10 hectares out of a total of 35 hectares of sugarcane in the district, mainly serving the beverage market. On average, each sao brings in an income of about 12 million VND, much higher than traditional molasses processing, not to mention that the sugarcane for beverage can be imported right from the field, saving processing costs.

Sugarcane juice currently costs from 5,000 - 10,000 VND/cup, each sugarcane can squeeze 4 - 5 cups, earning a profit of about 15,000 VND/cup. Photo: Quang An

Among summer drinks, sugarcane juice is a popular, nutritious, fresh, cool drink that is suitable for many people's budget.

In Vinh City, sugarcane juice shops have sprung up all over the streets. Due to the increase in sugarcane prices at the field, the retail price of sugarcane in Vinh City has also increased, ranging from 13,000 - 15,000 VND/tree. On average, each sugarcane can be pressed to produce 4 cups of juice, with a price of 5,000 - 10,000 VND/cup (depending on location). After deducting the capital, each sugarcane gives the shop owner a profit of about 15,000 VND.

The beverage shop in front of Vinh market gate is crowded with customers in the first days of summer. Photo: Quang An

Ms. Phan Thi Mui in Hung Dung Ward said: Selling sugarcane juice requires little capital but brings in a lot of money. During the past few hot days, I sold about 100 cups of sugarcane juice a day, and after deducting expenses, I earned nearly 300,000 VND a day.

Besides being squeezed for soft drinks, ready-made red sugarcane is now very popular for wedding parties, festivals, and death anniversaries.

Besides being squeezed for soft drinks, pre-peeled sugarcane for weddings and parties is also consumed very strongly. Photo: Quang An