Cocoa exports increase sharply, gardeners earn high profits

After a long period of stagnation, gardeners in the Mekong Delta are now reviving their cocoa gardens, due to favorable cocoa bean output and high prices. Current commercial cocoa growing models are all highly effective, and gardeners are very excited.

For about a year now, cocoa bean prices have been gradually increasing as cocoa bean processing enterprises for export have increased their purchases. At this time, fresh cocoa beans in the Mekong Delta region cost from 15-17 thousand VND/kg (depending on quality), and dry cocoa beans cost more than 230 thousand VND/kg, 2-3 times higher than 2 years ago.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh, a gardener in Phu Hoa hamlet, Phu Tuc commune, Vinh Long province, has 1 hectare of land that used to grow many types of fruit trees such as rambutan, grapefruit, longan, but the prices were unstable. Since 2020, he has switched to growing specialized cocoa trees and has a very stable income. Although only more than 50% of the area is for harvest, last year, Mr. Chinh's family had an income of nearly 200 million VND, while the care and investment costs were very low.

“I grow this tree very well, very delicious. If the cocoa tree has the same yield and price as now, then longan and rambutan trees cannot compare to it. It is very easy to grow, anyone who does not know how to grow trees can grow it. The cocoa fruit is very delicious, so now I grow all cocoa, it is very healthy,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh.

Cocoa trees bear fruit year round and are considered to be less expensive than some other fruit trees.

According to cocoa growers, this type of tree is easy to grow, not picky about soil, has few pests, only needs to prevent and control stink bugs that cling to the fruit and mice and squirrels that bite and destroy it. The average yield is more than 20 tons/ha. Cocoa trees have a high tolerance to salinity, irrigation water with a salinity of a few parts per thousand still grows well.

Mr. Vo Van Ban, in Phu My hamlet, Phu Tuc commune, Vinh Long province, is a pioneer and has been involved with cocoa trees for more than 20 years in the locality. Currently, his family maintains 1.5 hectares of cocoa trees intercropped in a coconut garden (of which cocoa is the main crop), applying an organic production model, prioritizing the use of microbial fertilizers and livestock manure, so the quality of the fruit is very good. Each year, his garden harvests more than 20 tons of fruit, earning over 300 million VND. In addition, he also purchases fresh cocoa fruits from nearby gardens to separate the beans, pre-process and supply to processing companies into products such as cocoa powder, cocoa butter, cocoa wine, etc. for export. Currently, the demand for cocoa beans from businesses is very high, and the gardens are not enough to meet the output demand.

Organic cocoa is very popular and produces fruit all year round.

Regarding this model, Mr. Vo Van Ban said: “I see that this tree requires little spraying and care. If it were like this now, durian trees would not be as good as cocoa trees. This year, farmers here are planting a lot. I see that any land can be planted, I can plant and leave it there and still have fruit. The output has been very stable since I sold it to the company, the company sends trucks to my house to pick up the goods.”

Due to the advantages of high price, low cost, and ease of planting, many farmers in the Mekong Delta are investing in expanding their gardens by intercropping with other fruit trees or monocropping. In particular, following the recommendations and guidance of the professional sector and businesses purchasing cocoa beans for export, gardeners are applying the organic, bio-safe cocoa growing model. At this time, the localities in the Mekong Delta that are strongly developing cocoa gardens are Vinh Long, Dong Thap, and Soc Trang . In particular, Vinh Long province alone has hundreds of hectares of newly planted cocoa trees. However, the area for harvest is still low, leading to "demand exceeding supply".

Ms. Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung, Deputy Director of Cacao Mekong Company Limited (headquartered in Song Loc Commune, Vinh Long Province) - a company specializing in purchasing fresh cocoa beans - said that high demand but low supply has caused world cocoa prices to increase sharply. Moreover, Vietnam has a source of clean cocoa materials, so it is very popular with international customers.

“Since last year until now, the price of cocoa has been increasing. The price of buying fresh cocoa beans has doubled compared to before, farmers are very excited. The world price of cocoa has also increased, there is a lot of demand but not enough supply. The world situation is that cocoa beans are in great shortage and need clean raw materials like in Vietnam, they really like it,” said Ms. Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung.

The high price of cocoa beans, strong demand and strong exports are positive signs for the agricultural sector in the Mekong Delta. However, in order for this agricultural product to be competitive and have high value, growers need to apply and replicate safe and organic production models to increasingly attract more markets around the world.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/xuat-khau-trai-ca-cao-tang-manh-nha-vuon-lai-cao-post879493.html