Lobster farmers in eastern Dak Lak province and across south-central Vietnam are rushing to harvest stocks before Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Storm No. 13, makes landfall this week. The move aims to limit losses as strong winds and heavy rain are forecast.
In Xuan Dai Ward, trading activity has surged since early November, with daily purchases doubling to 50-70 tonnes. Collectors are offering advance payments and transport support to accelerate harvests. Despite the early sales, lobster prices have remained stable at VND 780,000-820,000 (USD 30-33) per kg.
“The lobsters were almost ready for harvest, but with the storm coming, I decided to sell early to avoid losing everything,” said Le Van Quang, a local farmer.
Dak Lak’s coastal farming zone, formerly part of Phu Yen province, hosts about 27,000 lobster cages, the largest in the region. Authorities have warned of strong winds, high waves and flooding from upstream runoff, urging farmers to secure cages and complete harvesting before the storm hits.
Response teams have been deployed to coastal areas to help farmers reinforce farms and ensure safety. According to the provincial Fisheries Sub-Department, Xuan Dai Bay has more than 129,000 grow-out cages and nearly 400 nursery cages, supporting thousands of households. All workers have been ordered ashore by noon on Nov. 6; those remaining at sea will be evacuated.
In flood-prone areas, officials are stepping up inspections and relocating households at risk. In Tuy Hoa Ward, 11 families, about 40 residents, are being moved to sturdier buildings, including kindergartens and multi-storey shelters.
Dak Lak’s People’s Committee has established a forward command post in the eastern coastal zone to coordinate emergency response. Provincial leaders inspected fishing ports, aquaculture farms and vulnerable sites on Tuesday to minimize potential damage from Typhoon Kalmaegi.
VFM
