Unusual traders buy young plums at high prices in Ky Son

(Baonghean.vn) - After many years of falling prices, this year, Tam Hoa plums in Muong Long (Ky Son) are being sought after by many traders who are buying young plums at unusually high prices.

Tam Hoa plums were once grown in Muong Long commune, Ky Son district (Nghe An) with the goal of helping to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty for people in this remote border area.

Mr. Lau Nenh Va, Muong Long 2 village, Muong Long commune (Ky Son) is harvesting his family's plums to sell to traders. Photo: Lu Phu

However, for many years this goal could not be achieved because plum prices fell miserably, and many households let the fruit fall to the ground during harvest season.

But this year is different. Recently, in Muong Long commune, many traders from other provinces have come to buy young plums at unusually high prices. This has made the government and people think.

Within just 2 days, traders purchased over 2.4 tons of young plums from people in villages of Muong Long commune. Photo: Lu Phu

Mr. Lau Nhenh Va in Muong Long 2 village, Muong Long commune (Ky Son) grows more than 60 three-flower plum trees that are nearly 20 years old. In previous years, during the plum season, his family earned from 10 to 15 million VND.

This 2017 plum season, although his family's plums have not yet entered the main harvest season, he has harvested almost all of the young plums in the garden to sell to traders.

Even though plums sell for a high price, he can't help but wonder what people buy young plums for. He shared: "They buy them for 7,000 VND/kg. I just climb up the tree and use a stick to hit the plums to make them fall. They don't choose, they buy all the green and young ones. I don't know why they buy them, if they buy them, I'll just sell them. Many households can sell them for up to 15 million VND."

The plums are still very young, only reaching 1/3 of their weight when ripe. However, traders still buy them at quite high prices, twice as high as previous years. Photo: Lu Phu

A truck comes to buy young plums in Muong Long commune. Photo: Lu Phu

Not only Mr. Lau Nenh Va's family, but the situation of people rushing to sell young plums is happening in most villages in Muong Long commune... According to the people, this is the first time that traders have come to buy young plums in large quantities and pay such high prices. Households with 80-100 plum trees have brought in an income of 15-20 million VND.

"Traders drive their carts to endless places to buy, not knowing what they buy for. If they buy at a high price, our people will sell" - said Mr. Xong Sai Khu, Muong Long 1 village, Muong Long commune.

Plum trees laden with fruit are now being picked and sold prematurely by people even though the main season is not until June. Photo: Lu Phu

People harvest and gather young plums waiting for traders to come and buy. Photo: Lu Phu

Currently, the plums only reach 1/3 of their weight when ripe and traders buy them at twice the price of plums harvested in season in previous years.

According to the leader of Muong Long Commune People's Committee, through inspection, it was found that traders purchased young plums in large quantities and then quickly transported them in a very short time, so it is not possible to determine exactly who purchased them, where the young plums were transported and for what purpose.

Mr. Va Cha Xa - Vice Chairman of Muong Long Commune People's Committee, Ky Son said: "The government does not know who they are, whether they buy them for processing or consumption, people just sell them when they get a good price."

It is known that in just 2 days, May 19 and 20, traders purchased nearly 2.5 tons of young plums from Muong Long people.

Lu Phu