Rising prices for spring tea buds bring joy to farmers in Nghe An province as they harvest.

Farmers in Thanh Son commune (Thanh Chuong district) harvest spring tea. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Having just finished harvesting and selling the first batch of spring tea, Mr. Luong Van Phuong (Tan Hop village, Thanh Son commune, Thanh Chuong district) was very excited that this harvest yielded a total of more than 5 tons of fresh tea buds, which were purchased by traders right on the hill at a price of 4,300 VND/kg (an increase of 700 VND/kg compared to the spring tea crop of 2022 and an increase of more than 1,000 VND compared to last year's autumn tea crop).

Mr. Phuong said: "At this price, after deducting costs, the profit is more than 10 million VND/hectare/harvest. The first spring tea crop (also known as the 'blind' crop) has lower yields, less attractive appearance, and lower quality compared to later crops, so traders buy it at a lower price. However, the price of tea at the beginning of this season is relatively high, so the people are making a profit and are very happy."

Mr. Luong Van Phuong (Tan Hop village, Thanh Son commune, Thanh Chuong district) has just finished harvesting his first tea crop of the spring season. Photo: Thanh Phuc

As the main crop of the locality, in recent days, farmers in Thanh Thuy commune (Thanh Chuong district) have completed harvesting the first crop of tea to break the fog, allowing the tea plants to welcome the spring sunshine, grow faster and stronger, and yield the main harvest of the year. Although not highly rated for quality, the people are very happy with this crop as the price of tea has increased compared to last year.

Ms. Vo Thi Lai, Head of the "Organic and Safe Tea Cultivation and Care" Professional Farmers' Association in Ngoc Lam village, said: "The entire commune has 566.1 hectares of tea plantations, of which Ngoc Lam village alone has over 200 hectares. The first tea harvest of the spring season yielded 3 tons/ha, with an initial selling price of 4,000 VND/kg, now reaching 4,500 VND/kg (700-1,000 VND/kg higher than previous years). Currently, the price of tea buds is gradually increasing, with high-quality tea reaching 4,800-5,000 VND/kg."

With rising tea prices and increased profits, farmers are staying on the hills to harvest. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Currently, tea processing factories in Hanh Lam, Thanh Mai, Thanh Huong, etc., are focusing on purchasing tea from farmers at prices ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 VND/kg (depending on the type). At this price, growers are earning a decent income.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, owner of Duong Huong tea factory (Hanh Lam commune, Thanh Chuong district), said: “On average, each hectare of tea yields about 4-5 tons, and with good care, it can reach 6 tons per harvest. With a tea price of 4,500 VND/kg, the revenue is about 20 million VND/ha. After deducting the costs of fertilizers, labor, and harvesting machinery rental, the profit is about 10 million VND/ha/harvest. Currently, the price of nitrogen fertilizer is falling sharply (almost half compared to last year), so tea growers are making a good profit.”

The price at which processing factories purchase tea ranges from 4,000 to 4,800 VND/kg. Photo: Thanh Phuc

According to Ms. Huong, the increase in the price of tea leaves this time is due to the improved export market. Since Tet (Lunar New Year), her factory alone has exported 6 containers, clearing out all the tea stock from last year. Currently, the factory is purchasing all the tea leaves from local people and has machinery and labor ready for processing.

According to the survey, tea prices in Quy Hop and Anh Son districts are lower than in Thanh Chuong region, ranging from 3,500 to 4,000 VND/kg, but are 5,000 to 7,000 VND/kg higher than last year.

The booming tea export market has driven up the price of tea leaves. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Tran Duc Chau, a tea farmer in Hung Son (Anh Son district), said: “My family cultivates 2.25 hectares of tea for commercial purposes, including 1.75 hectares of tea in its 10th year and 0.5 hectares in its 3rd year. The first harvest yielded 6.5 tons, which we sold to the Song Lam sugar factory for 4,000 VND/kg. This price is higher than in previous years. Hopefully, the price will increase further when the main harvest season arrives.”

Currently, people in various localities are urgently harvesting the first tea crop of the spring season, with yields reaching 3-4 tons of tea buds per hectare. With high tea prices, after deducting costs, people are earning a profit of 10-12 million VND per hectare.

Following the first harvest of tea in the "bloom-clearing" season comes the main harvest of the year, which yields the highest quality, quantity, and value. Photo: Thanh Phuc

To ensure high yields and quality of spring tea, farmers proactively pruned branches and stems according to schedule, fertilized, and controlled diseases beforehand. As a result, this year's tea bud production is higher than last year, and tea prices have increased, so people are enthusiastically staying on the hills to harvest, care for, and regenerate the tea plants.

Thanh Phuc