Mr. Được is worried as he still has 1,300 pots of chrysanthemums that haven't been bought yet – Photo: TRẦN MAI
According to flower growers, despite the unfavorable weather and continuous rain, chrysanthemums still bloomed on time for Tet, while marigolds were a complete loss.
With few buyers, Tet flower growers are worried.
In the early days of the twelfth lunar month, chrysanthemum growers along the Ve River (Tu Nghia and Mo Duc districts, Quang Ngai province) begin to bud. Garden owners quickly hire people to remove the buds and spray the flowers and leaves with nutrients.
Flower growers are meticulously tending to their chrysanthemum plants to ensure they have the most beautiful pots for Tet (Lunar New Year). However, strangely, very few traders have come to inquire about buying the flowers.
Faced with the unusually low demand, many garden owners have put up signs along the inter-communal road saying "chrysanthemums for sale," along with their phone numbers.
Ms. Le (Nghia Hiep commune, Tu Nghia district, Quang Ngai province) shook her head in frustration while picking flower buds: "In previous years at this time, traders had already placed deposits, but this year no one has come to inquire."
Despite higher prices for flower-growing supplies compared to previous years, chrysanthemum prices remain unchanged.
The current price of chrysanthemums sold by locals at their gardens varies depending on the pot size (from 50cm to 1m), ranging from 130,000 VND to 1.3 million VND per pot.
Nghia Hiep commune has 500 flower growers cultivating an area of approximately 30 hectares. Currently, there are about 250,000 pots of chrysanthemums ready for Tet (Lunar New Year). According to local authorities, only about 50% of the chrysanthemums have been reserved and purchased by traders.
Ms. Phuong planted 600 pots of chrysanthemums, but has only sold 30 pots so far – Photo: TRAN MAI
Mr. Dinh Trinh Duoc (Duc Nhuan commune, Mo Duc district, Quang Ngai province) sighed as he had only sold 1,200 out of 2,500 chrysanthemum pots, and the rest were facing difficulties.
"The flowers I've sold are thanks to my regular customers; nobody comes to the garden to see them. I don't understand why it's so slow this year," Mr. Duoc said. Not only that, unfavorable weather has resulted in a total loss of 200 pots of marigolds, which haven't even started to bud yet.
Ms. Phuong, who grows chrysanthemums, said: "Every year, this area is crowded with people buying flowers, like on the 30th day of the Lunar New Year. This year, there are only a few people. This morning, someone came to inquire, and I agreed to their request, but they lingered and then left."
With a sluggish market and reduced purchasing power, many flower growers have put up signs and phone numbers waiting for traders – Photo: TRAN MAI
Two traders came to see the flowers in Mrs. Phuong's garden, and after exchanging a few words, they continued "strolling around" without finalizing a deposit – Photo: TRAN MAI
Traders are cautious, fearing the demand for Tet flowers and the weather.
Mr. Dinh Truong Giang, a trader from Quang Nam, came to Quang Ngai to see the flowers. After strolling around, he and his wife stood deep in thought. Although the flower growers promised the flowers would bloom in time for Tet (Lunar New Year), Mr. Giang was still worried. "The forecast says it will rain again tomorrow until the end of the month. I'm afraid the flowers won't bloom in time. If I put down a deposit and can't sell them, I'll lose a lot of money," Mr. Giang said.
Meanwhile, some other traders are worried that the demand for Tet flowers will decrease. Mr. Tue (Binh Dinh), who has 15 years of experience buying chrysanthemums in Quang Ngai to sell in Binh Dinh and Gia Lai during Tet, expressed caution: "It's my habit to go to Quang Ngai to look at flowers during this time, but honestly, I don't dare to finalize a purchase. The economy is difficult, and I'm afraid I won't be able to sell them. Last year was better, but I stayed up all night selling until New Year's Eve and only made a few cents in profit."
Despite unfavorable weather conditions, flower growers meticulously care for their plants, striving to ensure the flowers bloom in time for Tet (Lunar New Year) – Photo: TRAN MAI
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuyen, chairman of the Nghia Hiep commune People's Committee, said that although Nghia Hiep chrysanthemums have been certified under the OCOP program, most people grow them using traditional methods, lacking clear direction and having difficulty accessing the market.
Therefore, the production of Tet flowers remains largely dependent on luck. Sales depend entirely on traders. A lack of buyers is a major concern for the farmers. The local authorities hope for a specialized agency to promote and increase sales for the largest chrysanthemum flower growing area in Central Vietnam.
"Only in this way can the traditional Tet flower cultivation profession here become sustainable," Mr. Tuyen said.
Hundreds of thousands of chrysanthemum pots are waiting for buyers – Photo: TRAN MAI
Excitement over fruits during Tet season.
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