In early June, information about Son La plums falling in price to only 3,000 - 5,000 VND/kg spread on social networks, causing many people to panic.
However, through verification from the authorities of Son La province and the local reality, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters found that this was just a false rumor, of an individual nature and did not accurately reflect the production and consumption of plums in Yen Chau - the plum capital of the province.
Ms. Le Thi Loan, a long-time plum grower in Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district, said that her family has about 4 hectares of plums, with an output of more than 100 tons. Pines are classified according to size and quality, VIP type is sold at 70,000 - 80,000 VND/kg, normal type is 30,000 - 40,000 VND/kg, and the latest worst type is 10,000 VND/kg.
"My family does not go through traders but proactively connects to the unit market. The price has decreased compared to the beginning of the crop but not to the point of being as miserable as rumored" - Ms. Loan affirmed.
Mr. Bui Van Quan - Vice Chairman of Phieng Khoai Commune People's Committee said that the whole commune currently has more than 70 plum purchasing points per day, with a consumption of 500 - 700 tons. The price of plums in the garden ranges from 30,000 - 35,000 VND/kg for 20-25 fruits/kg; 18,000 - 22,000 VND/kg for 25-30 fruits/kg; from 5,000 - 10,000 VND/kg for bad models.
Only a few households have invested little in care, the trees bear small fruits, the new price is below 5,000 VND. This is an isolated case. The general price level remains stable" - Mr. Quan said.
According to Mr. Lu Van Cuong - Chairman of Yen Chau District People's Committee, the gardens invested in VietGAP direction, with careful care, are still sold at high prices, ensuring profits.
"Except for the type of wholesale dumping from un cared for trees, plums in Phieng Khoai are still valuable. The good variety is still sold for 50,000 - 70,000 VND/kg" - Mr. Cuong informed.
This year, the whole Yen Chau district has 4,000 hectares of plums, with an estimated output of more than 32,000 tons. As of early June, the locality has consumed more than 15,300 tons. The district has also signed principle contracts with domestic partners, organizing promotional events and promoting consumption.
Vice Chairman of Son La Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong affirmed that the province will strictly handle individuals and organizations that disseminate false information, cause confusion, and affect agricultural product consumption.
According to Mr. Cong, Son La is implementing strong promotional programs such as: including Phieng Khoai plum on meals on Vietnam Airlines flights from 10.6; organizing Son La Plum Week at Saigon Co.op supermarket system and large supermarkets in Hanoi...
The People's Committee of Son La province has also issued a document to the Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to select a supplier and prepare 2,000kg of plums to provide for free in meals on Vietnam Airlines flights.
All of these plums are quality-inspected to ensure food safety and hygiene certification standards, VietGAP, GlobalGAP to introduce, promote, and provide in meals on Vietnam Airlines flights.
The use of Son La black plum on Vietnam Airlines flights to serve tourists' meals and export to many countries around the world is a lever to help people actively produce, eliminate hunger and reduce poverty
