Areca nut prices hit record high, old farmer installs dozens of 'magic eyes' to prevent theft

The areca garden has more than 1 hectare of fruit and is currently being harvested. To avoid theft because the price of areca is at its peak, Mr. Ha Van Dung (Giao An commune, Lang Chanh district, Thanh Hoa) has just invested in installing dozens of surveillance cameras.

Mr. Ha Van Dung (born in 1966, Muong ethnic group) grows more than 5 hectares of areca, of which more than 1 hectare is ready to harvest fruit. Mr. Dung said that the price of areca in previous years fluctuated from 15,000-45,000 VND/kg. At its peak in 2021, the price of areca increased dramatically to 85,000 VND, but in the following years it decreased sharply.

This year, the price of areca nuts has increased day by day. At first, traders only bought them for 45,000-50,000 VND/kg. Recently, the price at the garden has jumped to 90,000 VND/kg.

According to Mr. Dung, the price of areca nuts has increased sharply due to increased demand in the Chinese market. After purchasing, areca nuts are imported to facilities to be dried before being exported to China. This is the raw material for producing areca candy, specializing in serving the cold-country market. "With the current selling price, an areca tree produces 15-20kg of fruit, and by the end of the season, my family will earn billions of dong," said Mr. Dung.

Since the price of areca nuts has increased, many small-scale growers in their gardens or along fences have had their fruits stolen by some individuals. To monitor the areca nut garden to prevent theft, Mr. Dung has just bought dozens of cameras to install around his house and garden.

Mr. Le Van Tien, Secretary of Giao An Commune, said that the commune has nearly 20 hectares of areca trees. Currently, only more than 1 hectare of areca trees belonging to Mr. Dung's family has harvested fruit.

Areca nut is the main crop of the locality. The output depends entirely on the Chinese market, so the price of areca nut is difficult to maintain stability.

"Given the unexpected developments in areca nut prices, we recommend that people do not expand their acreage or chase prices to avoid future risks," said Mr. Tien.

Some pictures of Mr. Dung's family's areca garden with surveillance cameras installed.