In recent days, in Tien Giang province, the prices of fresh coconuts are increasing sharply. This brings a good source of income for farmers in local specialized areas, making them very excited.
According to Mr. Duong Van Vy, at My Phong commune (My Tho city), traders come to the garden to buy coconuts for 90,000 – 100,000 VND/dozen (12 pieces) depending on the area. On average, each coconut costs from 7,000 to 8,000 VND. This is the highest price ever. Mr. Vy planted 1.5 ha of Malaysian coconut variety. This is a new coconut variety with a high yield and is favored by the market. Last month, he harvested a batch of 600 coconuts, earning nearly five million VND.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Song Binh commune, Cho Gao district, planted about 5,000m2 of green Siamese coconut. He said that every year, in the dry season, fresh coconut prices are always high due to large market demand. In addition, coconuts are harvested throughout the year, once a month on average. Therefore, coconut growers have a good income and stable life. With 5,000m2 of coconuts, the same high price as today, Mr. Thanh earns hundreds of millions of VND each year.
Fresh coconut prices increase sharply, farmers are very excited.
Coconut is one of the key crops of Tien Giang, concentrated in the eastern coastal districts of the province, such as Go Cong Dong, Go Cong Tay, Cho Gao, and Tan Phu Dong. According to the Tien Giang Provincial Statistics Office, the whole province currently has over 20,000 ha of coconuts, up more than 3,000 ha compared to 05 years ago. The annual output is over 180,000 tons. The advantages of this crop are local soil suitability, high economic value, tolerance to drought, salt alum, and harsh climate. Many farmers choose coconut to create a sustainable business because it is easy to grow and the cost is low.
In addition to the local coconut varieties used to supply the coconut processing industry, farmers in the province have recently developed the area of other coconut varieties such as Malaysian coconut and green Siamese coconut with high yield, good quality, and favored by the market. Many localities such as Cho Gao district and My Tho city are focusing on converting difficult production areas to grow coconuts to adapt to climate change and bringing high economic efficiency./.