Vinh Chau town is known as the capital of purple onions in Soc Trang province, with a planting area for the 2024-2025 crop of more than 5,000 hectares. According to statistics, farmers have harvested about 4,000 hectares, but the average yield is only 12-15 tons/ha, about 5 tons lower than previous years.
Ms. Thach Thi Pha (residing in Ward 2, Vinh Chau Town, Soc Trang Province) could not hide her disappointment after harvesting over 1 hectare (1,000m2) of purple onions: "This year, onions have not achieved much yield, expected to only yield more than 1 ton, much lower than previous years. At this time, the price of purple onions has dropped, so there is definitely no profit".
Ms. Pha added that although large purple onions are being sold for 16,000-17,000 VND/kg, her family's onions are only sold for 10,000 VND/kg due to being grown on sandy soil and small onions. "How can this price be profitable while production costs are high due to pests and diseases. 1 act of travel costs over 20 million VND, Ms. Pha lamented.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, also living in Ward 2 (Vinh Chau Town, Soc Trang Province), shared that this season his family planted 10 purple onions, with an investment cost of over 200 million VND, but the yield was only 15 tons, down about 5 tons compared to the same period. "Each worker only earns 1.5 tons, the selling price is 10,000 VND/kg, the income is 15 million VND, while the cost is from 20 - 25 million VND. This year, the price is a big loss," said Mr. Thanh.
Not only facing low productivity, many households also have difficulty in consuming products.
Mr. Trieu Thanh Hung - a purple onion grower in Vinh Chau town - said: "The selling price is too low, currently traders coming to buy are also limited, making the output of products even more difficult, so I have to reserve onions in the warehouse, waiting until the price is better to sell".
Mr. Chau Van Than - Deputy Head of the Economic and Infrastructure Department of Vinh Chau Town (Soc Trang Province) - said: "This year, the decrease in output is due to unseasonal rain, pests and hard bottles, affecting the yield and quality of onions. The average price of purple onions is from 10,000 - 20,000 VND/kg. If farmers sell at only 10,000 VND/kg, they will definitely lose."
