Farmers in Ninh Thuận Province harvest aloe vera, which is seeing high demand. - VNA Photo

NINH THUẬN — The south-central province of Ninh Thuận’s aloe vera is seeing high demand, as its cooling property makes it an desirable product during the current hot weather.

Nguyễn Văn Tùng, an aloe vera farmer in Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm City, said that he grows over 4,000sq.m of the crop, and thanks to favourable weather and stable water sources, his plants grew well and produced a high yield.

His family recently harvested around 18 tonnes of aloe vera leaves for a profit of nearly VNĐ40 million (US$1,575), and is preparing the next batch.

Trần Thị Lan, with her 3,000sq.m aloe vera farm, also harvested over eight tonnes of the crop. With the current price of VNĐ2,200 per kg, she and other aloe vera farmers are reaping decent profits, enough to keep growing the plant.

Nguyễn Văn Tài, a trader, said that every day he buys over 40 tonnes of the produce to sell to beverage and cosmetic factories at southern cities and provinces.

The current prolonged hot summer is driving up demand for aloe vera products, which are great for cooling off, he said.

Aloe vera requires a high amount of sunlight and is suitable with sandy soil.

Ninh Thuận’s weather is hot and dry with little rain, and has an abundance of coastal sandy soil, making the province a big supplier of aloe vera.

According to local farmers, growing 1,000m2 of aloe vera requires an investment of around VNĐ10 million, takes around eight months to grow, and can be harvested for up to five years.

A well-cared for batch of aloe vera can be harvested up to 11 times a year, yielding 7 tonnes per harvest.

According to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, aloe vera is easy to grow and care for, and is very suitable for farmers with low capital and little access to water.

The department is working with localities to survey farming areas, support aloe vera farmers in pursuing VietGAP farming standards, connect them with buying businesses, as well as diversify products made with the crop.

The province has around 350ha of the crop spread mostly in Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm City and Ninh Phước, Thuận Nam and Thuận Bắc districts.

By 2030, it plans to have over 500ha. — VNS