Nghe An: Deer antler prices slightly decrease, slow consumption

It is currently the peak season for picking deer antlers in the breeding areas of Quynh Luu, Hoang Mai, Dien Chau... Photo: Thanh Phuc

Nguyen Huu Tinh's farm (Thanh Minh Hamlet, Quynh Bang Commune, Quynh Luu) raises 70 deer, of which 45 are harvested for velvet. It is estimated that this year, Tinh will collect 40kg of velvet. Tinh said: "Thanks to good care, this year, 45 deer yielded about 40kg of velvet, 80% of which has been harvested. This year, velvet prices range from 9-12 million VND/kg (2-3 million VND/kg lower than last year) and are also more difficult to sell."

Raising 50 deer for velvet, Ms. Nguyen Thi Sen, Quynh Thach commune (Quynh Luu) collected about 30kg of velvet antlers in this year's harvest. Although she has been raising deer for more than 20 years, Ms. Sen has a regular customer base so the velvet antlers are easier to sell. However, this year, when the velvet antlers market fluctuated, Ms. Sen said that the price of velvet antlers decreased and consumption was slower than in previous years.

A 3-year-old deer with its first antlers, a pair of antlers weighing about 1kg, costs 10-12 million VND. Photo: Thanh Phuc

“Last year, the price of velvet was up to 13-14 million VND/kg, and the price of velvet used for medicine was also around 10-12 million VND/kg. This year, the price of velvet in the main season has dropped to 8-11 million VND/kg (depending on the type). The price has decreased, making it difficult to sell. Previously, traders would order in advance, and on the day of cutting, they would pay and receive the velvet. But this year, there was a time when the velvet was ready to be cut but they still couldn’t find a buyer, many households had to preserve the velvet in the freezer,” said Ms. Sen.

According to deer antler traders in Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai areas, this year, the reason why deer antler prices have decreased and are difficult to sell is because this is a health care product with a high price, so it is only for certain customers.

Velvet prices are currently fluctuating from 9-12 million VND/kg (depending on the type). Photo: Thanh Phuc

The economic difficulties have led to a decline in the consumer market, and the price of antlers has naturally decreased. In fact, the price of deer antlers has only decreased compared to 2022, because during the pandemic, the demand for antlers has increased dramatically, pushing the price of antlers up. Currently, the price of deer antlers is equal to the price of previous years.

Specifically, the price of "huge" antlers with unique shapes is still at 12-14 million VND/kg, antlers (antlers with many branches) cost from 9.5-11 million VND/kg, saddle antlers cost 11-12 million VND/kg, and medicinal antlers cost 8.5-10 million VND/kg.

These "giant" velvet antlers with unique shapes cost up to 13-14 million VND/kg. Photo: CSCC

“Currently, we only buy in moderation because agents and pharmaceutical companies only buy in small quantities, so we have not found a market. Currently, wholesalers still have a large amount of deer antlers in stock and do not have enough capital to “hold more stock”. Therefore, many deer farmers have reached the age of cutting their antlers but have not yet found buyers,” she said.

Besides, the antler harvest season is currently in full swing, so the price of antlers has decreased compared to the beginning of the season. If the breeder does not need money urgently, after harvesting the antlers, they will vacuum them, store them in the freezer and wait for a good price before selling them - said Ms. Le Thi Canh, owner of a system of agents specializing in purchasing antlers in Hoang Mai town.

In recent years, many agents have purchased and deeply processed deer antler products to increase the value of this nutritious product. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Although the price of velvet has decreased, however, according to calculations, each adult deer (for velvet) brings in an income of 8-10 million VND, after deducting expenses, the breeder still earns a profit of 6-8 million VND/deer. “Compared to other livestock, deer still bring the highest and most stable profit and are also easier to consume. The initial cost (breeding, housing) is relatively large (breeding 20-30 million VND/deer; housing 7-8 million VND/deer, food 2 million VND/deer/year.

The life cycle of a deer is relatively long (20 years), of which 15-17 years are used for harvesting velvet antlers, so if well cared for and free from disease, raising deer can be economically effective," said Mr. Nguyen Huu Tinh.

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

In recent years, with the economic benefits that deer bring, 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, Nghi Loc have had many measures to encourage people to increase the herd of deer for velvet. Specifically: Supporting loans, opening training courses on deer raising knowledge, organizing deer raising households to visit and learn experiences on effective deer raising.

Therefore, the total deer herd has been constantly increasing. Currently, the total deer herd in the whole province is estimated at about 30,000, velvet production is up to 18-20 tons, revenue is estimated at hundreds of billions of VND.

Deer mainly eat corn, grass, leaves... which people can produce themselves. Photo: Thanh Phuc