Pineapple prices are high, farmers are excited to expand acreage

Pineapple harvest, high price, farmers make profit

In Ban Lau commune - the largest pineapple growing area in Muong Khuong district, ripe pineapple gardens are being purchased by traders at high prices. The pineapple harvest usually starts from December of the previous year to April of the following year. On the hillsides, many areas after the harvest have been sold by farmers to plant new pineapple crops.

Ban Lau is considered the "pineapple granary" of Muong Khuong district.

Ms. Hoang Thi Huong, Na Ma 1 village, Ban Lau commune said: “In previous years, due to high fertilizer prices and difficult export markets, many households suffered losses and did not dare to expand their acreage. But since last year, pineapple consumption has stabilized again, and people have made a profit, so they are more confident in production. My family planted 100,000 pineapple trees, equivalent to more than 2 hectares. So far, about 80% has been harvested, earning 400 million VND, after deducting investment costs, the remaining is about 200 million VND. This year's pineapple crop is good and the price is good, so we are very excited."

Ms. Hoang Thi Huong takes care of newly planted pineapples.

According to Mr. Cu Tru, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ban Lau Commune, in the last pineapple crop, the whole commune had about 1,500 hectares of pineapple, with an average yield of 35 tons/ha. The price of pineapple purchased at the field was about 6,000 VND/kg, while the price at the processing factory was from 8,000 VND/kg or more. With this price, people have high profits. People are actively expanding the area, this year increasing by about 200 hectares compared to last year.

Farmers in Ban Lau commune harvest pineapples.

In Ban Lau commune, there are currently 13 pineapple production cooperatives, which act as a link with businesses to purchase products, helping people feel secure in expanding their growing area. The form of purchase is also diverse, people mainly sell the whole pineapple field to traders, the buyers will hire workers to harvest and transport. Thanks to that, farmers do not need to worry about the harvesting stage but still ensure high profits. Fresh pineapples are purchased by traders, a small part is processed and then sold to factories in and outside the province. Ninh Binh is currently the largest pineapple consumer in Muong Khuong district with about 60% consumed through this channel.

People process pineapples to sell to businesses.

According to Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Muong Khuong district, the whole district currently has about 1,899 hectares of pineapple, with an estimated output of 50,400 tons in 2025, worth more than 378 billion VND. The district plans to expand by 210 hectares next year, bringing the total pineapple area to 2,000 hectares, making pineapple one of the locality's key agricultural products.

According to records, pineapple consumption in Muong Khuong district is currently very favorable. Many traders, businesses and cooperatives participate in purchasing, creating stable output for pineapple growers.

Stable consumer market , people expand area

Seeing the effectiveness of pineapple, many households tend to expand the planting area. However, a major problem that farmers are facing is the lack of seed sources and high prices. Currently, the price of pineapple seedlings has increased to 4-5 million VND/10,000 plants, while previously it was only about 1-2 million VND/10,000 plants. The high price of seedlings has become a barrier for farmers who want to invest in expanding the area.

Pineapple varieties are expensive due to limited supply.

According to the reporter's investigation, one of the reasons for the sharp increase in pineapple seed prices this season is that in previous years, cassava prices were high, so many households switched to growing cassava. Now, when cassava prices are low, people have returned to pineapple. Pineapple seeds are produced by local people by separating young shoots from old pineapple plants that have been harvested for about 6 months. The conversion to "start over" with pineapple will require people to make new investments in buying seeds from families that still have seeds.

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Huong, in the past, when pineapple prices were low, many households abandoned pineapples to grow other crops. Now, if they want to return to pineapple cultivation, they are facing difficulties in seed sources. "In previous crops, pineapple prices were low, but my family was still determined and persistent with this crop, so there are still seeds. Other households did not maintain pineapple cultivation, so at this time, if they want to return to planting, it will be very difficult. The cost of buying seeds will be high, and it will be very difficult to find seeds," Ms. Huong shared.

Current retail price on the market is 15,000 VND/kg of grade 1 pineapple.

Pineapple is the main commodity crop of Muong Khuong district according to Resolution 10 on the development of commodity agriculture. Muong Khuong has also had policies to support farmers in terms of varieties, cultivation techniques and stable output. Muong Khuong district is encouraging people to expand the pineapple growing area, while strengthening links with businesses to ensure stable output. In addition, reasonable planning of pineapple growing areas, application of modern cultivation techniques and increased post-harvest processing are also important factors for the sustainable development of the pineapple industry in the future.

High pineapple prices bring good income to farmers in Muong Khuong district. However, to ensure long-term development, local authorities and businesses need to have solutions to support people to expand acreage, stabilize seed sources, strengthen consumption connections, and avoid the situation of good harvest and low prices as previously encountered. With proper attention, pineapple promises to help improve farmers' economy and become a key product, contributing to sustainable agricultural development in the locality.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/gia-dua-dat-cao-nong-dan-phan-khoi-mo-rong-dien-tich-post399426.html