Orange stamp market chaos

(Baonghean)- Following the practice of sticking traceability stamps on Vinh oranges, many types of stamps with different designs and brands have appeared on the market, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish.

Currently, it is the main season for oranges in Nghe An, so in the market of Vinh city as well as in the districts, oranges are sold in abundance with many types and different prices. Vinh oranges with traceability labels are widely accepted by the people and have higher prices. Understanding this psychology, some sellers of oranges of unknown origin also put "Vinh orange" labels to attract customers.

The noticeable feature of this type of stamp is its rough design, with only the word Cam Vinh and no barcode to trace the origin. When using a Smartphone to scan the stamp, no information is displayed. These types of stamps are easily copied at low cost and cannot prove the origin of the goods.

Many types of stamps do not have barcodes and can be easily printed and copied. Photo: Quang An

However, for people who do not have information and are not proficient in technology, it is easy to get confused. Ms. Nguyen Thi Mui in Truong Thi ward (Vinh city) shared: The other day I bought Vinh oranges with a label, but when I got home, my children could not trace the origin because there was no barcode. When I tried them, the oranges were not delicious even though the skin was beautiful. Since then, I have only asked my children and grandchildren to buy them for me.

Currently, Vinh oranges with labels cost from 55,000 to 60,000 VND/kg, while oranges without labels on the market cost an average of 20,000 to 40,000 VND/kg. However, according to research, oranges with "fake" labels without traceability codes are also sold for 45,000 VND/kg - a high price compared to the general market level.

Besides Vinh orange stamps, there are many other types of stamps on the market today such as Quy Hop oranges, Xuan Hop oranges, etc. Most of them are self-printed by gardeners without any competent authority's approval. According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Tao, owner of a fruit shop on Phong Dinh Cang Street, Ben Thuy Ward, he said: I got the oranges from an acquaintance's house in Quy Hop, the owner of the orange garden also gave me the family stamp to stick on the product. Although it is not a Vinh orange stamp, I know the origin and am responsible to my customers.

Although not labeled as “genuine” Vinh oranges, after labeling the gardener’s label, Mr. Tao’s store still sells them at 55,000 VND/kg (equal to the market price of “genuine” Vinh oranges). And in fact, labels with the word “Quy Hop orange” do not guarantee whether the oranges originate from Quy Hop or not because they can be easily printed and copied.

Customers buy oranges at stores in Vinh City. Photo: Quang An

Ms. Le Thi Thuong, a Vinh orange vendor on Quang Trung Street (Vinh City) shared: Vinh orange stamps have been certified and issued in a certain quantity. However, on the market today there are many types of stamps without traceability codes, so consumers must be very careful because oranges are in the main season, the amount of oranges sold on the market today is very large.

Mr. Pham Dinh Phung - Director of Phung Huyen Orange Cooperative said: "To get the Vinh orange origin traceability stamp is a process of care and certification by the authorities. During the orange season, the harvested oranges are stamped right in the garden and imported to traders. If there is a fake Vinh orange stamp, it is really dangerous for consumers and has a significant impact on genuine Vinh orange growers like us."

Customers trace the origin of Vinh oranges. Photo: Quang An

In fact, Vinh oranges with traceability labels are gradually "covering" the Vinh city area, but only concentrated in a few supermarkets and large agricultural stores. That is also a reason why many households selling oranges mix and produce labels to stick on oranges, branded as Vinh oranges because the demand for Vinh oranges with traceability labels is currently very high.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology said: Currently, on the orange market, only oranges with origin traceability stamps can prove that they are oranges in the Cam Vinh geographical indication area. Other types of stamps appearing on the market are difficult to prove their origin. In case of detecting fake Vinh orange stamps, the store owner will be responsible, the oranges will be confiscated and the stamp will be removed, not allowed to do business on the market. In addition, the violating establishments will be publicized on the mass media. The agencies responsible for inspection and handling are the Market Management Department under the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Science and Technology and the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns.

Quang An