The main purple onion crop of 2026 in Vinh Chau area (Can Tho City) is almost finished. However, according to records, many farmers said that this year's crop is facing many difficulties when production costs increase, while selling prices are unstable, and profits are very low.
Mr. Trieu Thanh Hung, in Vinh Chau ward (Can Tho City), said that with 5,000 m2 of land (5 cong), his family only harvested about 8 tons, a decrease of more than half compared to the same period (usually from 2 - 2.5 tons/cong). Meanwhile, the current selling price only fluctuates from 10,000-15,000 VND/kg.
At this price, selling is almost unprofitable, so I have to store it to wait for the price to rise," Mr. Hung said.
According to Mr. Hung, the investment cost per workday ranges from 10-18 million VND because families are self-sufficient in seed sources. For households that have to buy seeds, the cost is even higher. Fertilizer prices also increased from 9,000 - 300,000 VND/bag, causing the total cost to increase significantly.
Not only do costs increase, unfavorable weather also greatly affects production. At the beginning of the season, it was favorable, but at the end of the season, there were many rains, strong pests and diseases arose, and many areas were damaged. My family alone had to spend nearly one "cong" due to pests and diseases and anthrax causing damage," Mr. Hung said.
Mr. Ngo Duol in Vinh Chau ward (Can Tho City), said that currently oil prices have increased, fertilizer prices have also increased sharply, each fertilizer bag ranges from 600,000 VND to more than 1 million VND. Meanwhile, agricultural products have fallen in price, onions are only more than 10,000 VND/kg, pickled radishes are about more than 4,000 VND/kg, and chili peppers are also only about 8,000 VND/kg.
Doing it doesn't make a profit, so we farmers don't dare to invest more because we are afraid of heavier losses," Mr. Duol shared.
Mr. Thai Van Tung - Director of Samaki Agricultural Cooperative (Vinh Hai commune, Can Tho city) - said that prolonged heavy rain at the end of 2025 has slowed down the sowing schedule, and at the same time caused a sharp decrease in yield, with some fields reaching only 200-300 kg/cong.
In addition, the price of onion seeds has increased sharply, fluctuating from 100,000-150,000 VND/kg, at times up to 180,000 VND/kg, more than 2 times higher than the level of 50,000-60,000 VND/kg in previous years. With a standard of 100-120 kg of seeds/cong, the cost of seeds alone has reached 15-18 million VND/cong, making many farmers hesitant to invest.
According to Mr. Tung, due to the impact of prolonged rain, the yield is reduced, and the quality is reduced. The selling price is also unstable, fluctuating from 12,000-17,000 VND/kg, while the total investment cost is nearly 30 million VND/cong, mainly due to the high price of seeds and fertilizers.
With such yield and selling price, farmers are almost unprofitable, even losing money. Many households have decided not to plant new crops," Mr. Tung said.
According to Mr. Tung, consumption is still mainly dependent on traders. The market is also under competitive pressure from imports, making it difficult for domestic prices to increase.
He said that currently about 20% of the cooperative's area is in the final harvest stage, and it is expected that prices may increase when the season is about to end.
Mr. Thach Dil - Director of Vinh Chau Purple Onion Cooperative - said: "The price of onions must be from 15,000 VND/kg or more for farmers to make a profit". According to him, the output is still unstable, the output is large but the consumption capacity is still limited. Only some households have conditions to store goods waiting for prices, the majority have to sell immediately after harvest.
To be proactive in output, the Cooperative is looking for new directions through the production linkage of F1 Maserati hybrid purple onions (Netherlands). According to him, this onion variety has the advantage of uniform growth, better pest and disease resistance and weather adaptation compared to local varieties.
For F1 hybrid onions, the yield is about 3–3.5 tons/cong, higher than traditional onions. The purchase price according to the contract ranges from 15,000-20,000 VND/kg, helping the output to be more stable. Although revenue can reach about 40-50 million VND per cong, due to increased production costs, the actual profit is not as expected.
