Currently, the price of grade-A lemons has risen to about 50,000 VND per kilogram, nearly double compared to last month. This is also the highest price for Vietnam’s fresh lemons that ever recorded in this locality.
The price of seedless limes purchased by traders directly at orchards ranges from 38,000 to 40,000 VND per kilogram. Meanwhile, the retail price at markets is nearly 50,000 VND per kilogram. This is an average increase of 15,000–20,000 VND per kilogram in comparison to the previous week.
Despite the sharp price increase, farmers do not have enough supply of Vietnamese seedless lime to sell. As a result, shortages have appeared and prices in the market continue to soar, leaving lime growers extremely pleased.
Ms. Le Thi Hong Diep is a grower from Dong Phuoc A Commune, Chau Thanh District. She said that in recent days she harvested 0.4 hectares of Vietnam’s fresh lemons. During this period of high prices, she earned more than 100 million VND. Accordingly, the profits were dozens of times higher than those from growing rice.
Lime growers said that seedless lime prices have recently increased sharply because traders are purchasing them for export abroad. This has caused supply shortages and pushed prices higher each day.
With the current surge in prices, it is likely that for every 1,000 square meters of seedless lime cultivation, farmers can earn profits of 70–90 million VND per year.
Following the rise in lime prices, the market for lime seedlings has also increased by about 1,000 VND per plant. The current price is around 13,000 VND per plant.
Hau Giang Province currently has about 160 hectares of seedless lime plantations. These plantations produce around 1,520 tons of fruit per year.
Initial assessments show that this crop provides promising economic efficiency. It also serves as a lifeline for many orchard farmers, especially those with limited farmland, poor households, and those with little capital.
One of the main advantages of growing seedless limes is that they can be harvested early and produce fruit year-round. In addition, they have a relatively stable market.
Consumers prefer them because they have thin skins and are very juicy. They also have a mild sour taste.
According to the agricultural sector of Hau Giang Province, seedless limes are well suitable to the soil and climate conditions of the area.
Farmers can intercrop seedless limes with other fruit trees. This is especially suitable on mixed garden land or less fertile soil.
According to the plan, by 2020 Hau Giang Province aims to expand the seedless lime cultivation area to about 600 hectares. The expected output of Vietnam’s fresh lemons is about 5,500–6,500 tons of fruit per year.
Vietnamese source: https://congthuong.vn/khan-hiem-hang-gia-chanh-khong-hat-tang-ky-luc-9876.html