For about 3 weeks now, along the roads in Sa Dec flower village (Dong Thap province), the production atmosphere has become busier than ever. This year, gardeners continue to focus on key flower varieties that are "brands" in the locality such as: chrysanthemums, traditional chrysanthemums, roses, dried coconuts, yellow apricots,...
According to records, most types of flowers have now started branching, creating canopies, preparing for the bud-making stage.
However, what gardeners face is that production costs are skyrocketing. Mr. Tran Huu Tai (Chairman of the flower viewing stand, Ngoc Lan ornamental garden) said that in the flower profession for decades, he has never felt the pressure like this year.
Accordingly, if last year, straw manure (an important raw material for making substrates) only fluctuated at about 75,000 VND/bag, now it has jumped to 130,000 VND/bag. Coconut flour (coconut fiber) also increased from 15,000 VND to 25,000 VND/bag.
Everything is increasing! Preliminary calculation, the production cost for each flower basket this year increased by at least 30% compared to last year" - Mr. Tai said.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Sang (Working at the Flower and Ornamental Plant Department of the Rose Field Tourist Area), not only materials but also labor costs are a significant burden. To keep up with the care schedule, gardeners have to hire more helpers with "higher" wages compared to the previous crop.
We also have to make this our profession, and above all, we are looking forward to a bumper crop" - Mr. Sang said.
While gardeners' wallets are "worn down" by material prices, the weather continues to be a major challenge. Over the past time, prolonged unseasonal rains, cold air combined with unusually harsh sunshine have made pests and diseases prone to occur, forcing gardeners to spend more on medicine and effort to monitor flowers closely every day.
Mr. Huu Tai recounted that most gardeners are in a "dilemma". Because, if flower selling prices are increased to ensure profits, it is easy to lose customers, especially traders who are tightening spending. Conversely, if they maintain the price level as every year, they face excess capital or even losses.
Although "striving hard" to stick with the profession, the optimism and diligence of Sa Dec gardeners have not decreased at all. For them, flower growing is not only a livelihood but also a traditional cultural beauty of their homeland of Dong Thap.
From now until Binh Ngo Tet 2026 is not far away. We are calculating the possibility of increasing the selling price of ornamental flowers by 5-10% and really hope that customers will understand and share. Hopefully, the market will have more color in the near future, we will welcome a warm and prosperous Tet season" - Mr. Tai added.
