Nghe An: Official peanut exports face difficulties

(Baonghean.vn) - It is currently the end of the peanut purchasing season, so peanut export activities have slowed down somewhat. According to the reporter's findings, official exports are facing difficulties. Nghe An peanuts are still mainly collected and sold to traders in the Vietnam-China border area.

Thai Chili Pearrnut Trader Co., Ltd. (Thailand) - a major customer of Nghe An peanut exporting enterprises for many years, has not yet had any transactions with any enterprises in the province. Some enterprises specializing in traditional peanut exports have also had transactions with customers from other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia... but no contracts have been signed because the price of Nghe An peanuts is higher than that of India.

Mr. Vo Minh Tuan - Deputy Head of Import-Export Management Department of Industry and Trade said: as of July 30, 2012, only 1 enterprise (Intimex Nghe An Joint Stock Company) exported peanuts to the Thai market with a quantity of 38 tons, reaching a turnover of 72,200 USD with an export price of 1,900 USD/ton CIF. Besides peanuts, peanuts that have not been screened and are of poor quality used for oil pressing are also purchased by enterprises for official export to China. The price of this type of peanut is quite low, only about 1,230 USD/ton CNF. The total export volume up to now is 40,140 tons, equivalent to a turnover of 49,372 USD.

A notable point is that this year, because the price of Nghe An peanuts is higher than the price of Indian peanuts, some domestic enterprises have imported peanuts from India to officially export to China. The price of imported Indian peanuts is 1,550 USD/ton (CNF Hai Phong) and is re-exported to China at a price of about 33,690,000 VND/ton, equivalent to 1,604 USD/ton.

Peanuts are mainly collected by people and sold to Chinese traders.

In addition to the modest amount of officially exported peanuts, Nghe An peanuts are still being collected and sold to traders in the Vietnam - China border area, an average of about 200 tons per day. The selling price has decreased compared to the beginning of the season, fluctuating between 32,000 - 35,000 VND/kg. Specifically: Price of peanuts type 1 is 35,000 VND/kg; Price of peanuts is 32,000 - 33,000 VND/kg. It is estimated that about 8,000 tons of peanuts have been sold to traders in the Vietnam - China border area, equivalent to about 12.5 - 13 million USD.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the spring crop of 2012, the whole province planted 17,513 hectares of peanuts, reaching 82% of the plan; the yield reached 22 quintals/ha, for peanuts covered with plastic in some places it reached 28 quintals/ha. The total output is estimated at 40,000 tons of shelled peanuts, after deducting about 30% for seeds and domestic consumption (equivalent to 12,000 tons), the remaining output is about 28,000 tons converted into peanut kernels, reaching 14,000 tons for export. Unlike previous years, this year the peanut harvest is at least 15-30 days later due to the two Aprils, especially in the midland districts such as Tan Ky, Quy Hop, Anh Son, Thanh Chuong, Nam Dan.

Mr. Tuan Anh - Deputy Head of Dien Chau Industry and Trade Department said: This year, border traders do not directly purchase peanuts in the districts like previous years, but mainly purchase through individual businesses in Dien Chau, most concentrated in Dien Thinh commune. Therefore, the amount of peanuts consumed in Dien Chau is much higher than in previous years. Deputy Head of Dien Chau Industry and Trade Department calculated that 1 hectare yields about 28 quintals, with an average price of 2.2 million VND/quintal, earning over 61 million VND. After deducting costs (seeds, fertilizers, plastic, labor...), the profit is more than 25 million VND/ha.

Peanuts have always been the main agricultural product of Nghe An. Previously, Decision 75 dated August 25, 2009 of the Provincial People's Committee on supporting the purchase and export of agricultural products had had certain impacts on businesses participating in peanut export activities in the area. However, this year's peanut crop, this decision is no longer effective, the market of ASEAN countries is shrinking, prices are unstable... which has significantly affected the export results of this item.

Thu Huyen