Hau Giang farmers have begun to harvest 2021’s sugarcane crop. (Photo: VOV)

Farmers in Phung Hiep district, the largest sugarcane growing area in the Mekong Delta, have hurried to harvest their sugarcane. 

Nguyen Thi Linh, a trader for the sugar refinery for nearly a decade, said, “This year’s price includes transportation cost. I can earn a profit of more than 130 USD per shipment, enough to make ends meet.”

Many local farmers said despite the highest price ever paid by the sugar mills, they didn’t make much money because of high fertilizer prices and the cost of hiring workers.

“One third of my earnings were used to pay workers to harvest sugarcane. After other production costs, I got very little profit for each kilo,” said Nguyen Thanh Luon of Hoa An hamlet, who owns one hectare of ROC 16 sugarcane, a early ripe variety.

Both sugarcane growers and traders are delighted at the record high price offered by sugar refineries. (Photo: VOV)

During the 2020-2021 crop, Hau Giang farmers have grown more than 5,000ha of sugarcane, mainly in Phung Hiep district. 

According to Tran Van Tuan, head of the district's Agriculture and Rural Development Section, the locals have harvested more than 1,800 hectares of sugarcane. There remain another 2,900 hectares with an estimated output of 250,000 tons, he said.

“It might be more difficult for us in the immediate future to hire people to harvest sugarcane due to the COVID-19 pandemic which will likely continue. Local farmers are obeying COVID-19 regulations – mask wearing, disinfection, and social distancing,” said Tuan.