The price of coffee seedlings continuously skyrockets

Coffee seedlings with continuously increasing prices

In key coffee districts such as Dak Doa, Chu Prong, Chu Se, Chu Pah..., recently people have been looking to buy seedlings for replanting in old, low-capacity coffee areas.

The price of coffee seedlings has also nearly doubled compared to the past 5 years. Despite of the price increase, many nurseries still do not have enough seedlings to supply to buyers.

To be more specific, coffee seedling prices in previous years were VND 3,000 - 4,000/tree, and in the early days of this year's rainy season, gardeners sold for VND 3,500 - 4,500/tree, then VND 6,000 - 7,000/tree and now it has gone up to VND 8,000 - 8,500/tree. Although the price of coffee seedlings has skyrocketed, farmers are still looking to buy and plant in their family's coffee gardens.

In Pham O village (Bar Maih commune, Chu Se district), Nao's 1.2 ha coffee garden (BahNar ethnic group) is more than 20 years old, so far many old trees, and low productivity, so since two years ago. He cut down low-yielding trees, bought new varieties, and replanted them in the direction of both replanting and maintaining a source of income. This year alone, the price of coffee seedlings increased higher than in previous years, so he only bought 20 TR4 coffee trees for VND 10.000/tree, nearly double compared to last year.

The price has increased, and now most nurseries do not have enough seedlings to supply people for replanting.

According to Le Phu Dung, an officer in charge of the Forest Seed Experiment Station (under the Plant Seed Research Center of Gia Lai Province): For many years, the unit has provided high-yield and high-quality coffee varieties such as TRS1 and TR4 for people to replant, about 50,000 - 60,000 trees a year. Every year, it is not until the end of July of the solar calendar that the Center can sell all 60,000 coffee seedlings.

"Only this year, people buy coffee seedlings for replanting, so the unit and other nurseries are also passive due to insufficient supply for farmers. Currently, 50,000 coffee seedlings from the Center were sold out many days ago," said Dung.

Should only replant in the current coffee area

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Gia Lai province, the province currently has 98,728 ha of coffee. The average yield in 2022 is estimated at 302 kg/ha. According to many coffee growers here, the price of coffee seedlings this year has increased because green coffee in the world market has risen to VND 65 million/ton.

In addition, in the past, people have destroyed the old, low-yielding coffee gardens to improve the soil and switch to passion fruit. Still, because passion fruit price is falling, people buy coffee varieties for replanting, leading to high seedling prices.

Nguyen Van Luyen, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Chu Prong district, said: This year, the district plans to support seeds for people in some communes to replant with an area of more than 67 ha of old coffee. However, the price of coffee seedlings on the market is higher than every year, making it difficult for the unit to organize the bidding process to provide high-quality seedlings to the people.

"However, at present, we are still trying to find a supplier of quality seeds to support farmers to replant in time," said Luyen.

Doan Ngoc Co, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Gia Lai province, said: Currently, the price of green coffee in the market is increasing, and the province's agricultural sector has directed affiliated units and localities to step up efforts agricultural extension, guiding people to replant coffee in old, low-yield areas with new varieties with high yield, high quality, and resistance to pests and diseases such as TRS1, TR4, and TR9 that have been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. recognized as a productive, high-quality variety that adapts to climate change for replanting in 2023. Besides, promoting coffee production according to 4C,UTZ, VietGAP, organic and watered standards save.

Dr. Phan Viet Ha, Deputy Director of the Central Highlands Agro-Forestry Science and Technology Institute, said: Currently, the price of coffee seedlings has increased by two to three times, and there are not many seedlings left. The sudden increase in coffee seedling prices this year is due to the high price of green coffee in the market. Besides, the price of passion fruit has been low over time, so people focus on buying seeds to replant in old coffee gardens.

According to Dr. Phan Viet Ha, at the moment, the price of vegetative coffee seedling at the Institute is VND 3,500 (the market price is VND 7,000 - 8,000/tree), and VND 7,000/grafted tree. Approximately 1 million coffee seedlings of the Institute have been ordered this year. "People should buy coffee seedlings at reputable establishments and nurseries that can prove the origin of the seeds," said Dr. Ha.