Traders are actively seeking out chrysanthemums but are only putting down small deposits; why?

Although Tet (Lunar New Year) is still more than two months away, many traders have come directly to the gardens to buy chrysanthemum plants at a price of 180,000 VND per pair, but they only pay a small deposit upfront.

Mr. Thong, residing in Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province, has 2,000 pots of chrysanthemum flowers, which have now been reserved by traders at a price of 180,000 VND per pair - Photo: MAU TRUONG

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, residing in Cho Lach district (Ben Tre province), said that about two weeks ago, traders from the North came to her family's garden to discuss buying flowers to transport back to the North for sale during Tet 2025.

"Unlike previous years, traders usually paid a deposit of one-third or even half the amount for the flowers. But this year they only paid a very small portion. For over 2,000 baskets of chrysanthemums, they agreed to buy them at 180,000 VND per pair, but so far they have only paid a deposit of 20 million VND," Ms. Thu said.

Previously, more than 2,000 baskets of chrysanthemum flowers from Mr. Trinh Minh Thong (Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province) were also purchased by traders from the North.

According to Mr. Thong, in previous years, traders only bought chrysanthemums in early December, but this year, as early as the beginning of October in the lunar calendar, his garden of over 2,000 pots of chrysanthemums has already been reserved with deposits at 180,000 VND per pair, 10,000 VND higher than last year. Even so, traders only put down a very small deposit, much less than before.

He also shared that this year he used flower varieties from tissue culture plants at the Ben Tre Provincial Seed and Ornamental Flower Center, so the plants grew well, and investment costs were reduced by 30-40% compared to buying seedlings from traditional cuttings, resulting in a significant increase in profit.

According to chrysanthemum traders in Cho Lach, the quantity of flowers available to meet the demands of the Northern market is very limited, so this year they have to search for gardens and place deposits to buy early.

However, due to the poor quality of the flowers last year, traders are worried and are only placing very small deposits this year.

Chợ Lách district, Bến Tre province, has approximately 1.5 million baskets of chrysanthemum flowers this year to serve the 2025 Tet market - Photo: MAU TRUONG

1.5 million baskets of chrysanthemum flowers for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

Mr. Tran Huu Nghi, deputy head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Cho Lach district (Ben Tre province), said that this year the entire district has about 4.5 million flowering plants to serve the Tet flower market, including about 1.5 million baskets of chrysanthemum.

"This year, traders bought flowers very early, but they only put down a very small deposit because they are worried that the quality of the flowers will not meet the requirements," Mr. Nghi said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thuong-lai-san-lung-cuc-mam-xoi-nhung-dat-coc-it-vi-sao-20241122100409264.htm