Autumn-winter rice prices increase, but profits are low

Vinh Long province's farmers have harvested more than 20,000 hectares of autumn-winter rice in 2021. While rice prices have increased slightly but farmers still have low profits.

Rice prices increased compared to October, but Vinh Long province's farmers still have low profits due to high fertilizer prices. Photo: Minh Dam.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vinh Long province, farmers have harvested over 20,000 hectares out of 42,255 hectares. The average yield is 5.76 tonnes per hectare.

Last week, in Vinh Long, rice prices increased again compared to mid-October 2021, ranging from VND 5,600-6,200 per kilogram.

Specifically, the highest price of IR 50404 rice (wet rice) in Mang Thit district is VND 6,000 per kilogram (an increase of VND 800 per kilogram). On the other hand, traders are depositing the price of ML202 rice for VND 5,600 per kilogram.

With the above rice prices, farmers have profits, but not higher than the 2020-2021 winter-spring and summer-autumn rice crops. The main reason is due to the high cost of fertilizer.

Many agricultural materials agents said that after many price increases, fertilizer prices are currently maintained at a very high level. Compared to the beginning of 2021, fertilizer prices have increased by VND 100,000- 400,000 per bag, causing many difficulties for farmers.

Specifically, the prices of some fertilizers such as DAP, Urea, granules, etc., have increased by 50-80%, ranging from VND 850,000 to 1,200,000 per bag.

The sharp increase in raw material prices is the main reason for the rise in fertilizer prices. In addition, the logistics process was broken in many stages, and other costs also increased very high, which affected the cost of materials for fertilizer production.

In places where autumn-winter rice has been harvested, farmers have released water into the fields to prepare for a more favorable 2021-2022 winter-spring rice crop.

According to the plan, the province's farmers will sow about 10,000 hectares in the first phase. The sowing area is mainly in the areas along National Highway 54 of Tra On, Vung Liem, and Binh Minh town districts, and the area along the Mang river in Tam Binh district, Mang Thit district.

Currently, farmers in Vung Liem, Tra On, Tam Binh, and Binh Tan districts have sown over 4,300 hectares of rice. In general, rice is in the stage of development, tillering, and developing well, with few harmful pests and diseases.