The Golden Era of Rubber Seedling Production
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The years 2010–2011 marked the golden age of Vietnam’s rubber industry. Many households thrived on the “white gold.” However, since 2012, rubber prices have steadily declined, putting farmers, workers, and nursery operators under increasing financial pressure.
Forecasts for Rubber Prices in 2019 and Beyond
Chon Thanh District (Binh Phuoc Province) is known as the capital of rubber seedling production. During the boom, nearly every household operated nurseries supplying seedlings across the country. The business required little capital and simple techniques but generated high profits, so many locals quickly joined in — from small plots of a few hundred square meters to large nurseries spanning several hectares.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hue, from Thanh Tam commune, shared:
“I’ve been in this business for over 10 years. At its peak, my nursery produced over 200,000 seedlings annually — mainly PB 235, Lai Hoa 952, and PB 260 varieties — for farmers in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Dak Nong.
Back then, PB 235 seedlings sold for 20,000–25,000 VND per bagged plant or 8,000–10,000 VND per bare-root plant. After expenses, I earned over 300 million VND a year.”
According to him, successful nursery management requires proper irrigation, balanced fertilization, and nutrient-rich potting soil. He and his five workers routinely monitor and care for the seedlings to ensure uniform growth and quality.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hien, also from Thanh Tam, ran one of the region’s largest nurseries.
At the peak, her facility produced over 1 million seedlings annually (PB 235, PB 255, Lai Hoa 952, RRIM 600) for customers across Binh Duong, Dak Lak, Kon Tum, Quang Tri, and even Laos and Cambodia.
“During peak months, more than 20 workers were needed, and trucks came and went all day. We earned billions of VND in profit each year,” she recalled.
With nearly 20 years of experience, Mrs. Hien added:
“Rubber seedlings are easy to grow if you follow the process — seeds from the Rubber Research Institute, regular watering, fertilizing, weeding, and pest control.
After 8–10 months, when the top leaves stabilize, grafting is performed. In Binh Phuoc and Binh Duong, PB 235 is favored for its good timber value, while in central provinces like Quang Tri, RRIM 600 performs better due to its strong structure, disease resistance, and high yield.”
Quality Focus and the Hope for Price Recovery
The golden days of “easy money” in rubber nurseries are gone. As latex prices dropped, many nursery owners faced losses or were forced to scale down operations.
Today, only a few nurseries remain active in Thanh Tam commune, while others have closed or drastically reduced production due to low demand.
Mr. Hue noted:
“The market revived briefly in late 2016 when rubber prices rose, but by early 2018 demand dropped again. This year, I produced 100,000 seedlings but sold just over half.”
For large nurseries like Mrs. Hien’s, the situation is similar:
“Some partners ordered 200,000 seedlings but later took only half. At current prices, we barely break even. Fortunately, I own the land; otherwise, renting would mean heavy losses.”
Smaller nurseries that rent land are struggling the most.
Mrs. Nguyen Hoang Mai from Minh Long commune shared her story:
“In 2011, I borrowed money and leased land to start a nursery. After two years, prices collapsed, sales fell, and I couldn’t cover loan interest or rent. I had to quit and even sold my 2-hectare rubber farm to repay debts.”
Holding On with Faith in the Future
Despite hardships, many experienced nursery owners remain loyal to their craft. They maintain smaller operations, focus on seedling quality and customer trust, and hope for a rebound in rubber prices.
As the market remains sluggish, GCS (Giong Cao Su) continues to improve quality and customer service, offering support through various social media channels.
With years of expertise, GCS provides consultation to help farmers choose the right varieties for their soil and climate.
The company also offers turnkey packages for plantations and large farms — from seedlings to planting techniques and maintenance — ensuring uniform growth and high yields when harvested.