Nghe An: Deer antler velvet prices drop slightly, sales slow.

The deer antler harvesting season is currently in full swing in deer farming areas such as Quynh Luu, Hoang Mai, and Dien Chau... Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tinh's farm (Thanh Minh Hamlet, Quynh Bang Commune, Quynh Luu District) raises 70 deer, 45 of which are ready for antler harvesting. It is estimated that this year, Mr. Tinh will harvest 40kg of deer antlers. Mr. Tinh said: “Thanks to good care, this year, the 45 deer will yield about 40kg of antlers, and 80% has already been harvested. This year, the price of antlers ranges from 9-12 million VND/kg (2-3 million VND/kg lower than last year), and it is also more difficult to sell.”

Raising 50 deer for antler velvet, Ms. Nguyen Thi Sen from Quynh Thach commune (Quynh Luu district) harvested about 30kg of antler velvet this year. Although she has over 20 years of experience raising deer and has a loyal customer base, making it easier to sell her antler velvet, Ms. Sen said that this year, with the fluctuating deer antler velvet market, the price has decreased and sales have been slower than in previous years.

A three-year-old deer producing its first crop of antlers, with a pair weighing approximately 1kg, can fetch 10-12 million VND. Photo: Thanh Phuc

“Last year, the price of deer antlers reached 13-14 million VND/kg, while the price for medicinal antlers was around 10-12 million VND/kg. This year, the price of antlers during the main harvest season has dropped to 8-11 million VND/kg (depending on the type). With the price drop and difficulties in sales, traders used to place orders in advance, pay on the harvesting day, and receive the antlers. But this year, there were times when the antlers were ready to be harvested but still couldn't find buyers, forcing many households to preserve them in freezers,” Ms. Sen said.

According to deer antler traders in Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai districts, the reason for the drop in price and difficulty in selling deer antlers this year is that it is a health care product with a high price, therefore it is only for certain customer groups.

The price of velvet antler currently ranges from 9-12 million VND/kg (depending on the type). Photo: Thanh Phuc

The difficult economic situation has led to a decline in consumer demand, naturally causing the price of deer antlers to fall. In reality, the price of deer antlers has only decreased compared to 2022, as the surge in demand during the pandemic drove prices up. Currently, the price of deer antlers is at the same level as in previous years.

Specifically, the price of exceptionally large, uniquely shaped velvet antlers remains at 12-14 million VND/kg, while velvet antlers with multiple branches are priced from 9.5-11 million VND/kg, saddle velvet at 11-12 million VND/kg, and medicinal velvet at 8.5-10 million VND/kg.

Giant velvet antlers with unique shapes can fetch prices as high as 13-14 million VND per kilogram. Photo: CSCC

"Currently, we are only purchasing in small quantities because distributors and pharmaceutical companies are also only buying in small amounts, so we haven't found a market yet. Wholesalers still have large quantities of deer antlers in stock and lack the capital to buy more. Therefore, many deer farmers whose antlers are ready for harvesting still haven't found buyers," she said.

Besides, it's currently peak season for harvesting deer antlers, so the price has decreased compared to the beginning of the season. If farmers don't need the money urgently, after harvesting the antlers, they can vacuum-seal them and store them in the freezer until the price is right before selling them," said Ms. Le Thi Canh, owner of a system of agencies specializing in purchasing deer antlers in Hoang Mai town.

In recent years, many distributors have been purchasing and further processing deer antler products to increase the value of this nutritious product. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Although the price of antlers has decreased, it is estimated that each adult deer (for antler harvesting) yields an income of 8-10 million VND. After deducting expenses, breeders still earn a profit of 6-8 million VND per deer. "Compared to other livestock, deer farming still provides the highest and most stable profit, and sales are easier. The initial costs (breeding stock, housing) are relatively high (20-30 million VND per deer for breeding stock; 7-8 million VND per deer for housing; and 2 million VND per deer per year for feed).

"The lifespan of a deer is relatively long (20 years), of which 15-17 years are for harvesting antlers, so if well cared for and free from disease, raising deer is highly economically efficient," said Mr. Nguyen Huu Tinh.

Compared to other livestock, deer are still the most valuable. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Over the years, due to the economic benefits that deer farming brings, localities such as Quynh Nghia, Quynh Bang, Quynh Thach, Quynh Tan, Quynh Thang, Tan Thang… (Quynh Luu), Quynh Vinh, Quynh Loc… (Hoang Mai town) and some other localities in Dien Chau and Nghi Loc have implemented many measures to encourage people to increase their deer herds for antler harvesting. Specifically, these include: providing loan support, opening training courses on deer farming knowledge, and organizing visits for deer farmers to learn from successful deer farming practices.

Therefore, the total deer population has continuously increased. Currently, the province has an estimated deer population of about 30,000, with antler velvet production reaching 18-20 tons and estimated revenue of hundreds of billions of VND.

Deer primarily feed on corn, grass, and various types of leaves that the locals can find for themselves. Photo: Thanh Phuc