Farmers in Lam Dong province worry about a shortage of vegetables for Tet (Lunar New Year).

Prices of many types of vegetables from Da Lat are currently high – Photo: N.TRÍ

During a meeting with the Department of Industry and Trade of Lam Dong province regarding quality control and support for the consumption of agricultural products, especially for Tet (Lunar New Year), the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City proposed including cut flowers in the price stabilization program and solutions for transportation.

Prices of many vegetables have increased by 40%.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre newspaper on December 20th, Mr. Bui Trung Kien, director of Xuan Thai Thinh Company (Lam Dong), said that due to heavy rains significantly reducing yields, the prices of many types of vegetables sold by farmers and traders have increased by 25-40% compared to the beginning of December. Examples include green lettuce at 40,000 VND/kg, romaine lettuce at 25,000-28,000 VND/kg, spinach at 35,000-37,000 VND/kg (bulk), green beans at 30,000-40,000 VND/kg, and cucumbers at 20,000 VND/kg…

"If the weather worsens and there is more unseasonal rain in the coming period, there is a risk that many types of vegetables from Da Lat supplied to the Tet market will be in short supply, and prices will increase even further," Mr. Kien worried.

According to Mr. Kien, the company's supply capacity in the month before Tet is approximately 300 tons, a decrease of about 20% compared to the stable period. Therefore, the company is trying to find solutions such as increasing planting and diversifying supply sources in the hope of controlling selling prices and improving purchasing power, which is declining compared to previous years.

Meanwhile, with a supply capacity of 20-30 tons of vegetables per day, Mr. Nguyen Hong Phong, director of Phong Thuy Company (Lam Dong), said that this year the North suffered from floods and cold weather, so the demand for importing vegetables from Lam Dong is higher.

Therefore, if the unseasonal rain continues in Lam Dong, the supply of many vegetables and fruits is likely to decrease sharply.

However, Mr. Phong hopes that with the production time for most leafy vegetables being around 25-30 days, if the weather is stable, many farmers will significantly increase their planting, ensuring a sufficient supply for Tet and good prices.

Not to mention, the prices of root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and radishes are currently more stable because they are less affected by the weather.

Many suppliers and retailers say that due to the slow consumer demand this year, even down 30-40% compared to before the pandemic, they will try to keep prices as low as possible, especially for supermarkets, which are always prioritized for price stabilization, with any price increase limited to around 20%. However, with prices now floating freely, controlling vegetable prices in markets during Tet (Lunar New Year) will likely be more difficult.

Lam Dong province requests transportation support from Ho Chi Minh City.

Speaking at a meeting between the Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong provincial departments of industry and trade on December 20th, Mr. Nguyen Viet Duy Khoi, director of Viet Farm Co., Ltd. (Lam Dong), expressed concern that if the transportation and processing of goods are not done carefully, the quality of vegetables and fruits will not be guaranteed.

Therefore, it is necessary to consider building more warehouses and harvesting centers in Ho Chi Minh City. This will help preserve vegetables for longer periods, thereby improving the quality of agricultural products and contributing to price stabilization, especially during peak seasons like the end of the year.

Ms. Cao Thi Thanh, deputy director of the Lam Dong Department of Industry and Trade, said that many transport companies are concerned about the overload and congestion at markets in Ho Chi Minh City during the peak year-end season, which could affect the quality of vegetables, fruits, and fresh flowers, especially the congestion that often occurs at Ho Thi Ky flower market.

"Vegetables and fresh flowers are short-lived products, so their quality is easily affected if transportation is difficult. Fresh flowers, for example, can almost certainly be thrown away if they are held up for just two days. Therefore, we hope Ho Chi Minh City will consider providing support," Ms. Thanh said.

During the meeting, representatives from the Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed that Ho Chi Minh City create conditions to increase the amount of fresh cut flowers sold in supermarkets to avoid the surplus that often occurs in markets, especially during the peak Tet holiday season.

Responding to this issue, Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, said that he would propose and recommend to relevant agencies and businesses to consider support measures to alleviate transportation difficulties. Regarding the issue of flower consumption, Mr. Phuong suggested including cut flowers in the list of price-stabilized goods, possibly on a pilot basis.

"The city is stepping up its market stabilization program, which has been well received by many consumers. Therefore, if Lam Dong's fresh flower products participate in this program, they will have the opportunity to significantly increase sales in supermarkets and have a wider market," Mr. Phuong commented.

Given the impact of logistics on the cost of agricultural products arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the city's industry and trade leaders proposed that the logistics management agencies of the two localities increase cooperation to find solutions, especially by utilizing empty trucks to transport additional goods.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nha-vuon-lam-dong-lo-thieu-rau-tet-20241221084819744.htm