Tet flower seed prices are about to increase

These days, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Chau in Kim Chi hamlet, Nghi An commune (Vinh city) is busy preparing the land and preparing the fields to plant Tet flowers. Mr. Chau shared: My family has been growing Tet flowers for more than 30 years; the types of flowers are quite diverse, including yellow chrysanthemums, lilies, gladiolus, roses, etc. However, the price of imported flower seeds is much higher than in 2017, causing input costs to increase by 20 - 40%.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Chau in Kim Chi hamlet, Nghi An commune (Vinh city) takes care of Tet flowers. Photo: Quang An

In Dien Chau and Nghia Dan districts, the price of flower seeds has also increased sharply. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien in Hong Khanh hamlet, Nghia Khanh commune (Nghia Dan) shared: My family grows 3 sao of Tet flowers, mainly chrysanthemums because this is the type of flower favored by the market. This year, the price of flower seeds has increased by about 40%; if in 2017 the price was about 30,000 VND/100 plants, this year it has increased to 45,000 VND/100 plants.

In addition to chrysanthemums, other types of flowers and bulbs also increased in price sharply, such as lilies increased from 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND/bulb; kumquat increased from 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND/pot; dahlias increased from 2,500 VND to 4,000 VND/root... If investing in planting on a large area, each household will have to spend tens of millions of VND more for this year's flower crop.

The reason for the increase in flower seed prices is because it is the beginning of the season, many people are competing to buy flower seeds early to choose good and beautiful varieties... Besides, because in 2017 the price of Tet flowers increased sharply, this year many households have expanded their acreage, causing all the early-season flower seeds to "sell out".

Lily bulbs increased from 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND/bulb in this year's flower crop. Photo: Quang An

In addition, the costs of land improvement, water treatment, building greenhouses, installing lighting systems, etc. also require higher costs.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhan in Nghi Lien commune (Vinh city), her family planted more than 20,000 chrysanthemums this year, double the number of last year, so the number of lighting bulbs has increased from 200 to 500; this season, an additional investment of about 10 million VND is needed.

Tet kumquat trucks are currently being transported to the flower area on the outskirts of Vinh, where they will be cared for for about 3 months before being sold for Tet. Photo: Quang An

Due to the increase in the price of traditional flower varieties, some households have switched to growing other ornamental plants to reduce costs.

Currently, trucks carrying kumquat trees, chili peppers... from the northern provinces have poured into the flower areas outside Vinh such as Nghi An, Nghi Lien, Nghi Kim... These types of trees have the characteristics of not requiring initial planting, have higher vitality, and besides, the price does not increase sharply, so many households choose them to take care of and sell during Tet.