The Coconut Conundrum: A Pre-Tet Price Surge

The sounds of bustling labor echo through the Agricultural Services Cooperative in Luong Hoa, Giong Trom District, Ben Tre Province, as dedicated workers gather each morning. With over 50 laborers present, the cooperative is a hive of activity, with some workers skillfully peeling coconuts, while others extract the delicate coconut meat. The production process is a well-coordinated dance, with each worker contributing to the creation of valuable coconut products.

Among them is Tran Hoang Tan, whose face shines with perspiration as he manually peels coconuts. With a cheerful demeanor, he shares, “We get paid based on our productivity, so the more we work, the more we earn. I usually make over 300,000 VND per day, and I plan to work until Tet. Coconuts are in high demand now; a cluster of 12 coconuts can sell for up to 120,000 VND. I’m looking forward to a better Tet holiday this year.”

At present, businesses are purchasing dried coconuts for export at prices ranging from 120,000 to 140,000 VND per cluster, depending on quality and location. Fresh coconuts (coconut xiêm) fetch prices between 70,000 and 80,000 VND per cluster, while export-quality coconut xiêm can reach nearly 100,000 VND per cluster—a significant increase compared to the same period last year. However, the recent coconut harvest has seen a decrease in yield, leading businesses to organize direct collection from gardens to meet their supply needs.

Tran Thi Dung, owner of a 2-hectare coconut garden in Ap 2, Luong Hoa, shares her experience: “I recently sold dried coconuts for 120,000 VND per cluster, and now some traders are offering 130,000 VND. In Mo Cay, prices have even reached 170,000 VND per cluster. This year’s coconut prices are much better than last year’s, despite a lower yield.”

The atmosphere at businesses and cooperatives specializing in coconut procurement in Mo Cay Nam and Ben Tre City is equally vibrant. With strong coconut exports, both businesses and farmers are reaping substantial profits. Bui Thanh Hieu, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Luong Hoa Commune, where over 1,100 hectares of coconuts are cultivated, and two-thirds of households depend on coconut farming, shares his insights: “With the current coconut prices, farmers’ incomes have significantly increased. Those with larger coconut gardens will have a more prosperous Tet holiday this year, as they can sell more of their produce. This has brought great joy to our community.”

Ben Tre, known as the “Coconut Kingdom,” boasts over 80,000 hectares of coconut trees, accounting for 88% of the Mekong Delta’s coconut area and nearly 42% of the country’s total. The coconut industry supports the livelihoods of over 200,000 households in the province. To date, Ben Tre’s coconuts and coconut products have reached 130 countries and territories worldwide, with approximately 150 businesses involved in production and trade. Among them, eight large-scale enterprises purchase coconuts from farmers for export to markets such as the US, Canada, South Korea, China, Japan, and the EU.

Ben Tre’s farmers have embraced organic coconut production models, partnering with businesses and 28 agricultural cooperatives across more than 16,000 hectares of coconut gardens. In 2024, the province’s coconut industry achieved an export value of over 516 million USD. Notably, fresh coconuts have been successfully exported to the Chinese market through official channels.

While the current high coconut prices bring significant profits to farmers, businesses face a supply shortage and are forced to source additional coconuts from outside the province to fulfill their export contracts. According to Nguyen Van Be Sau, Director of the Ben Tre Department of Industry and Trade, “Coconut prices are quite high this year, and both dried and fresh coconuts have favorable market conditions. This has brought joy to our farmers. However, due to a decrease in yield, known as ‘coconut hanging,’ businesses have to import coconuts from other provinces to meet export demands. The province is encouraging the improvement of coconut gardens and the conversion of less productive fruit tree areas and even rice fields into coconut plantations.”

The coconut trees of Ben Tre have firmly established their place in the export market. The focus now lies in sustaining and expanding value chain production models, enhancing coconut yield and quality, and diversifying coconut-derived products. By doing so, we can ensure a vibrant coconut industry in Ben Tre, empowering farmers to prosper and thrive in their beloved homeland.