Ripe rice has no buyers
Ms. Phan Thi Deo, Hamlet Nha Lau 2, Ninh Thanh Loi A Commune, Hong Dan District, Bac Lieu Province said: "A month ago, traders offered to buy at 13,000 VND/kg, but I refused to sign. Now that the rice is ready for harvest, traders are not buying. I had to sell to another trader for only 9,000 VND."
According to Ms. Deo, that was lucky, some traders answered directly that they did not buy because there was too much rice, and the price of rice dropped every day, they were afraid.
Besides the advantages, farmers encountered some difficulties in the final stage of the crop, especially the rains and thunderstorms caused by the recent storm No. 10, which caused many rice fields to fall over, turn black, and reduce productivity.
Based on that reason, along with the decrease in rice prices, many traders, although having previously deposited rice at a price of 11,000 - 13,000 VND/kg, now only agree to buy at a price of about 8,500 - 10,000/kg. If farmers do not agree, traders are willing to forfeit their deposits and not buy rice according to the original agreement.
At this price, farmers still make a profit, but not much. Calculating the difference between the current price and the price 1 month ago, many farmers lose billions.
Mr. Tran Thanh Ngan, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director of Tan Phat Cooperative (Hong Dan District, Bac Lieu Province) said: "It is natural that rice prices depend on rice export prices. Another part is due to the lack of synchronous and tight production organization. When prices go up, farmers "break the deal" and do not sell to traders, and when prices go down, traders abandon farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to have a synchronous and unified production coordination mechanism, tight sales contracts, especially the participation of authorities at all levels to gradually eliminate the current situation of abandoning property and running away."
Need to get familiar with the rice market
This year, Bac Lieu province planted more than 46,800 hectares of rice on shrimp land, and is currently entering the peak harvest period. Mr. Vo Minh Huy - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hong Dan district - said: "We are focusing on supporting people to quickly harvest rice on shrimp land. Although there are some difficulties in weather and prices at the end of the season, it does not greatly affect the general production situation of people in the conversion area. Currently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the district is reviewing and gathering information. If any area has difficulties in harvesting and consuming rice, the department will have a plan to quickly support and promptly resolve the issue to avoid affecting the productivity and income of people."
Hong Dan district has nearly 25,000 hectares of rice on shrimp land, most of the rice varieties chosen by people to intercrop with shrimp are ST24, ST25, OM...
Mr. Pham Van Muoi - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Bac Lieu province - said that the current rice price is unlikely to increase as high as in 2023. The reason is that the rice export market of other countries has recovered. Mr. Muoi also advised people to get familiar with the international rice market. Because rice prices will be greatly affected by the export market, similar to shrimp.
