Avoid rain, keep productivity
With 5,000 m2 of water spinach growing land in the harvest season, farmer Pham Thanh Kien (O Mon district, Can Tho city) cannot help but worry when in recent days, the weather has been continuously rainy. Meanwhile, water spinach is an agricultural product suitable for growing in hot weather. This causes Mr. Kien to quickly harvest even though the vegetables have not reached the optimal size, to avoid affecting productivity.
"Currently, the price of water spinach is only about 6,000 VND/kg, much lower than the average of 8,000 - 10,000 VND/kg at normal times. Partly because vegetables have not met the standard size required by traders, partly because the supply is abundant. Although this price is profitable, it is very low, because production costs have increased significantly in this crop, said Mr. Kien.
These days, farmer Nguyen Thi Thu (Co Do district, Can Tho city) is also struggling to hire workers to harvest cabbage. According to farmers, this crop, erratic rainy and windy weather has caused many types of pests and diseases on cabbage, requiring careful care and additional costs for agricultural materials.
Cabbage usually takes a long time to grow, but now, we have to harvest as soon as traders come to buy, even though the current price is not high. Selling early with low profits, but ensuring productivity is our top priority. If we continue to hesitate while the frequency of rain is increasing, we will suffer more damage," Ms. Thu shared.
Traders are cautious about importing goods
Recorded at traditional markets in Can Tho city such as Tan An, Xuan Khanh, Ba Bo, ... entering the rainy season, the supply of agricultural products is still quite abundant, prices of many items remain stable, even slightly decreasing in some types.
Traders Nguyen Thi Lien said that in the past 2 weeks, the prices of vegetables and fruits at the market have been quite stable. Coriander of all kinds still remains at 20,000 - 30,000 VND/kg. Squash, carrots, tomatoes range from 18,000 - 25,000 VND/kg. Cauliflower and chili soup decreased by 2,000 VND/kg, each type.
The main reason for the stability and price reduction in some items, Ms. Lien commented, is that the amount of goods from rural areas flowing to the market is quite abundant, meeting consumer demand.
At the agricultural stall of trader Nguyen Thi Phuong Hong, a variety of vegetables are imported every day, ensuring freshness. According to this trader, while agricultural products in the West have prices moving sideways, some vegetable products imported from Da Lat have increased slightly such as cherry tomatoes, cotton, etc.
"The prices of some agricultural products are stable, even decreasing, but I do not import too much because this is an item that can only be preserved for a short time. I import every day, depending on the actual needs of consumers, I adjust the quantity and price, Ms. Hong shared.
