These days, people in Muong Lat district are harvesting cassava, but the production atmosphere is not as bustling as last year. The reason is that cassava prices are too low, people do not have enough labor to harvest, or dig up the tubers and leave them for several days without any traders coming to buy the goods.

Mr. Mua Seo Vu (born in 1973), residing in Nang 2 village, Muong Ly commune, said that his family has more than 4 hectares of hilly land growing cassava. Last year, the price of cassava reached 2,900 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, his family earned about 100 million VND.

“This year, the price of cassava has dropped by more than half, only 1,500 VND/kg, sometimes down to 900 VND/kg (depending on the time). At this price, my family does not want to harvest because it does not have enough labor,” said Mr. Vu.

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Despite low prices, people still have to harvest for fear of missing the season. Photo: Le Duong

According to Ms. Giang Thi Nang (born in 1990), residing in Suoi Long village, Tam Trung commune, in February, her family sold 500 kg of cassava for 1,500 VND/kg. Now the price continues to decrease, fluctuating from 900-1,300 VND/kg, making cassava growers not very interested in harvesting.

With the current selling price, according to people's calculations, it is only enough to make a profit.

“This year’s cassava output is higher than last year’s, but due to the low price and lack of outlets, people are discouraged. Many families are afraid of leaving it too long, so they have to pull it out en masse. However, after harvesting, the cassava has been piled up for several days and no traders have come to buy it,” Ms. Nắng shared.

Mr. Tran Van Thang, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Muong Lat district, informed that the whole district has more than 3,000 hectares of cassava, mainly concentrated in the communes of Trung Ly, Muong Ly, Pu Nhi and Tam Chung.

In the past two years, cassava has been considered the local key crop to help the locality escape poverty, earning more than 100 billion VND each year. This year, cassava output is higher but prices are low, so the figure is only 50-60 billion VND.

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There are times when cassava can be left for several days without being sold. Photo: Le Duong
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Cassava packaging is lined up on both sides of the road waiting for traders to buy. Photo: Le Duong

According to Mr. Thang, the reason for the sharp drop in cassava prices is that many areas in the northern provinces have also expanded their acreage, in addition, cassava starch exports to the Chinese and European markets are slow.

With more than 3,000 hectares of cassava in the whole district, but Phuc Thinh Agricultural and Forestry Products and Agricultural Materials Processing Joint Stock Company (affiliated unit) has only been able to consume about 1,600 hectares, the rest depends on traders and cassava processing factories in the lowlands.

“The district has assigned communes to establish a cassava planting steering committee to find units to purchase and consume products for the people. For now, we ask people to maintain the cassava planting area stable and not expand it further.

The district also continues to seek solutions to purchase products, ensure output... to avoid the current situation of good harvest but low prices," said Mr. Thang.

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Even though cassava prices are low, having traders come to buy is still lucky for the people. Photo: Le Duong