being sought after despite high prices
In recent years, green bamboo shoots have suddenly become a "star" in the fruit market thanks to the bamboo shoots trend. The appeal of the dish has caused the price of green bamboo shoots to skyrocket, at times up to 100,000 - 150,000 VND/kg for unpeeled ones, from 450,000 - 550,000 VND/kg for peeled ones.
This year, although the appeal has gradually decreased, green bamboo shoots continue to be sought after from the remnants of chicken salad. At the beginning of the season, traders have begun to look for a source of live bamboo shoots to supply the market.
Ms. Lan (a trader at Tan An unit market, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city) shared that in the past, fruit stalls only took ripe mangosteen to sell. In the past 2 years alone, the demand for raw bamboo shoots has increased sharply, this trader has also followed the trend of finding a source of goods for consumption.
"The dish of chicken mangost grilled has become popular, from individual customers to restaurants and eateries, all are hunting for this fruit. This year, when the bamboo shoots are just in season, customers are also starting to buy. However, green duck mangosteen is not easy to find, only a few kg can be imported. For 100,000 - 120,000 VND/kg, I sold out. While waiting for the source of raw fruit, I mainly sell ripe bamboo shoots at prices ranging from 60,000 - 80,000 VND/kg, depending on the type, Ms. Lan recounted.
Not enough bridges
Currently, mangrove gardens in provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta such as Can Tho, Hau Giang, ... have begun to season. Market demand has increased but the amount of green duck shoots supplied is small.
On the one hand, gardeners see great economic potential from selling green duck shoots at high prices. On the other hand, they are also concerned that focusing on harvesting green bamboo shoots will affect the yield and quality of ripe fruit in the future.
Mr. Tran Van Tuan (a bamboo shoots grower in Chau Thanh A district, Hau Giang province) said that green bamboo shoots are not the fruit that can be harvested as much as ripe bamboo shoots. The harvest time for green bamboo shoots usually takes place when the fruit is old but not ripe. The number of fruits on each tree is also less than when it is ripe.
Before the harvest season, traders have come to ask to buy green bamboo shoots, the price ranges from 70,000 - 90,000 VND/kg, 30,000 VND/kg higher than ripe fruit. However, my garden mainly sells ripe fruit, and green mangosteen is a refined variety, so the quantity is quite small, only a few hundred kg," said Mr. Tuan.
With an area of 3,000 m2 of bamboo shoots bearing fruit, Mr. Nguyen Van Nam (Phong Dien district, Can Tho city) shared that this year, traders continue to go to the garden to buy green bamboo shoots for 65,000 - 95,000 VND/kg, 20,000 VND/kg lower than last year. However, this price is quite attractive for gardeners.
"The price is quite good, but I do not dare to sell it out because I have to leave the growth of mangosteen for the next crop. Moreover, the green mangosteen harvested more.
