Following the storm, watermelon prices plummeted.

(Baonghean.vn) - After the storm, farmers in Dien Chau had to focus on harvesting more than 200 hectares of summer-autumn watermelons. Due to mass harvesting and the rain, the watermelons became bland, causing prices to drop by nearly half.

This year, Dien Chau district planted 300 hectares of watermelons during the summer-autumn season. Of this, 100 hectares were harvested before Typhoon No. 2, yielding a relatively high productivity of 1.7-2 tons per sao (approximately 1000 square meters). However, the remaining 200 hectares, mostly ready for harvest, were damaged by the storm, with many fruits rotting. In the communes of Dien Thanh, Dien Phong, Dien Hong, and Dien Ky, farmers are currently harvesting watermelons en masse after the storm.

Some watermelon crops were completely destroyed. (Photo: Mai Giang)

Watermelon yields only reached 1.2-1.5 tons per sao (approximately 1000 square meters), and prices have dropped by almost half. Before the storm, farmers sold watermelons for 5,000-6,000 VND/kg, but now they only fetch 3,000-3,500 VND/kg, resulting in an income of about 3.5-4 million VND per sao. In addition, some watermelon crops that were not yet ready for harvest had to be completely destroyed due to damaged plants and waterlogging, making recovery impossible.

Watermelons bought directly from the farm cost only 3000-3500 VND/kg. (Photo: Mai Giang)

Mr. Nguyen Thuan, a farmer from Dien Thanh, who was harvesting watermelons in his field, said: "I harvest the big, beautiful ones to sell to traders right in the field, and I have to throw the rest away. Yields have decreased, but the price is low, making it very difficult to sell."

Meanwhile, Mr. Cuong, a watermelon trader, said: "Before, I used to buy five tons a day to supply fruit vendors in the district, but now I only dare to buy about one ton. The watermelons are bland after the storm, and the lack of sunshine has resulted in low sales."

Watermelons are difficult to sell after the storm. (Photo: Mai Giang)

Along with harvesting watermelons after the storm, farmers in Dien Chau are also cleaning up their fields, preparing to plant another watermelon crop, or planting vegetables for the winter season.

Mai Giang