MILAN – On February 6 – 7, hoar frost occurred in Lac Duong district’s Da Chais, Da Nhim and Da Sar communes in the Lam Dong province, causing damage to leaves and fruit of coffee trees and other crops, reports VNA. About 434ha of coffee and 34ha of other crops of a total of 800 households in the three communes were affected by hoar frost, with total damage worth about 50 billion VND (2.15 million USD), according to the district’s People’s Committee.
The district’s Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development in cooperation with local agricultural officials have encouraged farmers to spray water on trees to remove hoar frost in the morning when the temperature is not high.
Vu Ba Hoa, who has has of coffee trees that are bearing fruit in Da Chis commune, said that buds, leaves and fruits had fallen from about 80 percent of his coffee trees because of the hoar frost, reports the same source.
In the last coffee crop, Hoa harvested more than 12 tonnes of coffee beans and earned a profit of 150 million VND (6,400 USD).
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Central Highland province of Lam Dong will provide financial support for Lac Duong district’s farmers whose coffee trees were damaged by hoar frost.
Nguyen Van Chau, deputy director of the department, said the department will also provide facilities to monitor the temperature and humidity. In damaged coffee areas not suited to coffee cultivation, farmers are encouraged to switch to other crops like fruit.
Data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs show Vietnam coffee exports plunged -28% y/y to 145,101 MT in January.
Traders and exporters in Vietnam have taken a step back from purchasing low-priced coffee beans from local farmers, while inventories begin to decline.
“There are very few export quotations as it’s been difficult to buy on domestic markets,” a trader based in the coffee belt of Vietnam said in an interview with Reuters.
“Farmers are complaining prices are exceptionally low,” the trader said. “They are asking for at least 33,000 dong per kg, equivalent to the production cost.”
Due to recent lack of rainfall, traders said the 2019/20 crop would likely face drought, which could lead to a dip in the production. Moreover, abundant supply of robusta beans from Brazil would also drag Vietnam’s prices lower.
