Nghe An: Early season heat, pineapple prices increase sharply

Currently, pineapple growing areas in Quynh Luu are ripening, the peak harvest season is from March to the end of June. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Growing nearly 10 hectares of pineapple in the form of alternating crops, Mr. Vu Van Binh (Hamlet 29, Tan Thang Commune) will harvest from the beginning of January to the end of the 10th lunar month. If at the beginning of the season,pineapple priceonly fluctuated from 3,000 - 3,500 VND/kg, but in recent days, when entering the main harvest season (from March to June), the price of pineapple has gradually increased. Currently, pineapple is purchased by traders at the field for 6,000 VND/kg, compared to the beginning of the season, the price has doubled.

Mr. Binh excitedly said: “Only with a price of 6,000 VND/kg can pineapple growers make a profit. If the price is 3,000 VND/kg, they will only break even, without the cost of fertilization. Hopefully, when the weather gets hotter, the demand for cooling fruits as well as pineapple processing factories will increase, and consequently, the price of pineapple will also increase.”

Pineapple prices are gradually increasing in the main season, farmers are excited to harvest. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Having just harvested nearly 1 hectare of pineapple to sell to traders, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen (Hamlet 26/3, Tan Thang Commune) sold it in the field for 5,500 VND/kg. With this price, she earned nearly 200 million VND/ha. “This year's pineapplegood harvest, large, even and beautiful fruit, pineapples are also sweeter, yield reaches 35 - 40 tons/ha. At the beginning of the season, low pineapple prices made people very worried. Fortunately, when the harvest season was in full swing, pineapple prices increased.

This price is still low compared to peak years (the highest price of pineapple was 10-12,000 VND/kg) but compared to the same period last year and the beginning of this season, it is much higher. If the price of 6,000 - 7,000 VND/kg is maintained stably, pineapple growers will make a profit," said Ms. Yen.

Currently, pineapples are being purchased by traders at the field at prices ranging from 5,500 VND - 6,000 VND/kg. Photo: Thanh Phuc

According to people's calculations, the investment cost for each hectare of pineapple is about 70-75 million VND. Like this year's pineapple crop, pineapple has a high yield, reaching 35 tons/ha, in particular, in well-cared areas, the yield is up to 40 tons/ha. With a selling price of 5,500 VND - 6,000 VND/kg, it will bring in revenue of about 200 million VND, after deducting costs, the profit is about 100 - 120 million VND/ha.

“If the price is stable, maintained at 4,500 VND or more, pineapple growers will make a profit,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, a pineapple trader.

This year's pineapple crop is good, with big, beautiful fruits, and an average yield of 35-40 tons/ha. Photo: Thanh Phuc

District-wideQuynh Luu has over 1,000 hectares of pineapple, mainly concentrated in the communes of Quynh Thang, Tan Thang, Quynh Chau, in which Tan Thang is the locality with the largest pineapple area (800ha). Pineapple is considered the main crop of the locality, bringing the main source of income for the people here.

However, because the consumption market of this fruit is completely dependent on traders, prices are unstable, often falling into the situation of "good harvest, low price, good price, bad harvest".

Although it is the main crop in Tan Thang, the output of this fruit is still uncertain. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Nguyen Van Cap - Vice Chairman of Tan Thang Commune Farmers' Association said: "Tan Thang pineapples are mainly purchased by traders and imported to pineapple processing factories in the Northern provinces or imported to China, and the rest is sold in local markets and consumed within the province. This year, pineapples have a good harvest and high productivity. At the beginning of the season, prices were low and difficult to sell, but now, when the harvest season is in full swing, pineapple prices have increased and are easier to sell. However, what people want is to connect with businesses and processing factories to purchase pineapple products at stable prices"./.