Tomatoes and Cucumbers in Quyet Tien are in good season but prices are low

BHG - A good harvest but low prices is not a new story, but it is always a concern for farmers. In Quyet Tien commune (Quan Ba), in recent years, people have actively changed the crop structure, grasped the market, and focused on developing crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers. However, besides good harvests and good prices, people also have to face difficult times.

Quyet Tien Commune is located in a place with cool climate conditions, fertile and flat land, favorable for growing vegetables. In recent years, people have boldly switched from growing ineffective corn and rice to growing vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, flowers... According to statistics, in 2024, the whole commune will grow a total area of 490 hectares of vegetables and fruits, of which cucumbers account for 209 hectares and tomatoes about 148 hectares.

Mr. San Vu Dai's family's tomatoes are harvested and sold at low prices from 2,000 - 3,000 VND/kg.

To solve the output of agricultural products, Quyet Tien commune has established 6 agricultural cooperatives, organizing the production of vegetables and fruits according to safety standards. These cooperatives cooperate with businesses to consume products, helping people feel secure in production. In 2024, the total vegetable output of the commune reached more than 15,325 tons, with an estimated total income of over 76 billion VND. Thien Phu SH Company Limited has cooperated with farmers to grow cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, sweet corn, etc. All products are purchased, processed and exported by the Company to domestic and foreign markets. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the whole commune planted 85 hectares of tomatoes, with a yield of 50 - 55 tons/ha; 110 hectares of cucumbers, with a yield of 40 - 45 tons/ha.

However, this year, people in the commune are facing difficulties with tomato and cucumber prices. According to records in Bo Lach village, people growing tomatoes and cucumbers said that this year, tomato and cucumber areas are growing well and have a good harvest. But unlike last year, if the price of each kilogram of tomatoes reached 14 - 16,000 VND/kg, the price of cucumbers is stable at 12,000 VND/kg, at times up to 17,000 VND/kg. This year, due to difficult output, at the present time, when tomato and cucumber areas are being harvested, the price is very low. Mr. San Vu Dai, a household growing 2,000 m2 of tomatoes, said: Every year, there is a purchasing company that comes here to sell to people, but this year it has not come up. Each kilogram of tomatoes is currently sold at the garden for only 2,000 - 3,000 VND, and this year cucumbers are only priced at 4,000 VND/kg. Although tomatoes are ripe and cheap, it is not possible not to harvest them.

Mr. and Mrs. San Vu Dai, Bo Lach village, harvest tomatoes.

Mr. Lam Dinh Dang, Head of Bo Lach Village, said that the whole village has 133 households, of which 70% of the households grow tomatoes and cucumbers this season and have currently planted about 40 hectares of tomatoes, 15 hectares of cucumbers, some households are still planting cucumbers; some households grow up to 13,000 tomato plants. Due to difficulties in grasping the market, this year, tomatoes and cucumbers of the people in the village and commune were harvested at the same time as many provinces and even China were also harvesting and bringing them to the market. Since then, prices have dropped, which is disadvantageous for growers.

According to Vice Chairman of Quyet Tien Commune People's Committee, Nguyen Van Tuan, another reason for the bumper crop and low price of tomatoes and cucumbers in Quyet Tien is that the output has increased but the consumption market has not expanded accordingly, leading to supply exceeding demand. In addition, people produce spontaneously, without following plans or orders from businesses, so they are easily forced to lower prices. Tomatoes and cucumbers are easily damaged while there is a lack of post-harvest preservation and processing systems. Difficult transportation and distance from the center have increased transportation costs, limiting the delivery of agricultural products to large markets.

To overcome the situation of "good harvest, low price", there needs to be a synchronous solution from production to consumption. First of all, it is necessary to continue expanding the production linkage model between farmers, cooperatives and enterprises, ensuring stable output for agricultural products. Besides, it is necessary to diversify products, deep processing to increase the value of agricultural products; building brands and geographical indications for Quyet Tien's vegetable products is also a necessary direction to affirm its position in the market. In addition, applying science and technology to production, such as growing vegetables in greenhouses, using new varieties, organic fertilizers... will help improve productivity, product quality, and minimize risks due to weather.

The story of tomato and cucumber prices this year in Quyet Tien commune is a valuable lesson in developing commodity agriculture. In order for farmers to feel secure in production, it is necessary for authorities at all levels, businesses and the people themselves to participate in building a sustainable agricultural value chain. Only then can highland agriculture truly develop, bringing a prosperous life to the people.

Article and photos: MINH KHAI

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/kinh-te/202505/ca-chua-va-dua-chuot-o-quyet-tien-duoc-mua-nhung-gia-thap-6755a5c/