Each kilogram of sweet potatoes is being bought by traders at 15,000 VND per kilogram, three times higher than the same period in 2024, resulting in high profits for growers.
Having planted over one hectare of sweet potatoes in Ha Mon commune, Dak Ha district ( Kon Tum province ), Mr. Tung said he harvested 20 tons of tubers, earning 300 million VND. After deducting expenses, he made a profit of nearly 150 million VND. "The sweet potatoes sell at a high price, and the good yield makes the profit more stable compared to other crops," Mr. Tung shared.
Having lost hundreds of millions of dong in the previous season, Mr. Hiep in Gia Lai has now recouped his capital thanks to the sharp increase in sweet potato prices. This year, each kilogram of sweet potatoes costs 15,000 dong, three times higher than last year. Therefore, with 3 hectares planted with both Le Can and Japanese varieties, Mr. Hiep earned a profit of approximately 400 million dong after deducting expenses.
According to Mr. Hiep, sweet potatoes are relatively easy to grow, but if the weather is unfavorable, the yield decreases, and they are susceptible to pests. Last year, prices were low, so many people abandoned their fields. This year, the planted area has decreased, and prices have surged.
Kon Tum and Gia Lai are two provinces with large areas of sweet potato cultivation, especially from January to April, when the weather is favorable and farmers tend to focus on planting more than in other seasons. This is also the largest sweet potato growing region in the country.
Le Can sweet potatoes, a specialty of Gia Lai province, are grown in Le Can commune, Tan Binh district, and have been granted geographical indication protection. This variety has a distinctive aroma, a turmeric-yellow flesh, and a soft, sweet texture thanks to the manganese-rich basalt soil. Meanwhile, Japanese sweet potato varieties, imported from Da Lat and cultivated locally, are softer, more pliable, and sweeter than Le Can sweet potatoes.
Conversely, in the western provinces, the winter-spring crop is favorable for rice cultivation, so the area planted with potatoes is not large.
Explaining the sudden price increase, Ms. Thanh Mai, a trader specializing in buying potatoes in the Central Highlands provinces, said that this year the planted area decreased by about 30-40% compared to the same period last year, resulting in a shortage of supply and pushing prices up threefold. Many households growing potatoes this year earned a profit of 100-150 million VND per hectare.
Traders say sweet potato prices have risen due to a strong resurgence in domestic and export demand. Meanwhile, farmers are switching to growing coffee and pepper as prices for these crops reach record highs. In May, as the new planting season begins, sweet potato prices are expected to rise even higher as the planted area continues to decrease, and sweet potatoes are more susceptible to damage during the rainy season.
According to the Departments of Agriculture and Environment of Kon Tum and Gia Lai provinces, the area planted with sweet potatoes this year has decreased compared to previous years. Kon Tum usually maintains around 500-530 hectares, while Gia Lai maintains about 5,000 hectares. However, this year's winter-spring crop saw a 40% decrease in sweet potato cultivation area in Kon Tum, while Gia Lai only has about 2,000 hectares, compared to 3,400 hectares last year.
The main reason is that sweet potato prices were unstable last year, causing farmers to switch to growing rice, vegetables, or fruit trees.
Authorities assess that the sweet potato market has recovered. However, consumer markets are increasingly demanding higher quality and product design. To produce this agricultural product sustainably, farmers must change their farming practices, producing according to GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), organic standards, etc., creating clean, safe food products that are also environmentally friendly.
Customs statistics show that in 2024, sweet potatoes ranked second after chili peppers in terms of export value among vegetables. Total export value for the year reached US$34.3 million, a 25.5% increase compared to 2023. However, in January, sweet potato exports only reached just over US$2 million, a 30% decrease compared to the same period last year due to a sharp decline in supply.
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