Cicada Exoskeletons Bought for Millions In Vietnam
Millions of Vietnamese Dong Per Kilogram
In recent years, online marketplaces have been flooded with ads seeking to buy cicada exoskeletons for millions of Vietnamese Dong, with the highest price reaching 2.2 million VND per kilogram. These ads typically state that buyers will purchase as many exoskeletons as are offered.
When speaking with a reporter from VTC News, Hà Văn T. (Cao Bằng), a man specializing in the collection of cicada exoskeletons, stated that he accepts all shipments via bus delivery to Cao Bằng.
“Since cicada exoskeletons are divided into 4-5 different types with varying prices, those collecting and selling them should separate them accordingly. Larger exoskeletons command a higher price. The most expensive type is the largest, measuring around 3 centimeters in length with a dark color, which sells for 2.2 million VND per kilogram. Smaller and lighter-colored exoskeletons are less expensive. For the most accurate pricing, take pictures of each type of cicada exoskeleton you collect and send them to me, and I will provide you with a quote,” instructed Hà Văn T.
Cicada exoskeletons being purchased for up to 2.2 million VND per kilogram. (Screenshot)
Ms. Tòng Thị T. (Mai Sơn, Sơn La) shared that she collects 4-5 quintals of cicada exoskeletons annually to sell to Chinese traders. “They have been buying them for 7-8 years now. When I first heard that they were buying cicada exoskeletons, I didn’t believe it, thinking they were joking since they are so light. It wasn’t until later that I learned they were serious, and the prices were high. The lowest price is 400,000 – 500,000 VND per kilogram, while the highest is over 2 million VND per kilogram.”
Although Ms. T. sells cicada exoskeletons at high prices to Chinese traders, she is uncertain of their intended use. She speculates that they are used as a type of medicine, hence the high demand.
Ms. T.’s collected cicada exoskeletons are bundled into large bags to be sold to Chinese traders. (Photo courtesy of Ms. T.)
Mr. Thanh, a resident of Chiềng Dong commune (Mai Sơn, Sơn La), has been collecting cicada exoskeletons for over 5 years. He stated that the highest price he has sold them for locally is 1.2 million VND per kilogram.
“The peak season for collecting cicada exoskeletons is between April and May each year. On a good day, I can collect several hundred grams, and at most, over a kilogram. The selling price ranges from a few hundred thousand VND to over 1 million VND per kilogram, depending on the time of year,” said Mr. Thanh.
According to Mr. Thanh, cicada exoskeletons are most abundant in coffee and avocado plantations. Locals typically catch young cicadas to sell for a few hundred thousand VND per kilogram, while the exoskeletons left behind after the cicadas molt are rarely collected, as “it takes forever to gather enough for a kilogram.”
Mr. Thanh added that in the past, traders bought cicada exoskeletons for just 300,000 VND per kilogram. In recent years, the price has steadily increased, reaching over 2 million VND per kilogram today.
“Cicada exoskeletons are known as ‘boat returnees’ or ‘boat bodies’ and are a type of herbal medicine in Eastern medicine, offering numerous health benefits, including heat reduction, anti-inflammatory properties, and detoxification. For centuries, cicada exoskeletons have been used in traditional medicine, and these remedies are still practiced today,” explained Mr. Thanh.
