Economy

Thanh Chương suffers from a poor persimmon harvest.

Huy Thu • August 7, 2024 15:19

These days, people in Thanh Chuong are harvesting black olives. This year's olive crop is poor, supplies are scarce, and prices are higher than last year.

bna_1(2).jpg — People in Thanh Chuong have been harvesting black olives for a week now. Compared to previous years, this year's olive harvest is later, with the fruits only ripening around the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Photo: Huy Thu

According to local people, this year's persimmon crop is poor, with few or no fruits on the trees. Mr. Nguyen Van Tri, a long-time persimmon tree climber in Vo Liet commune (Thanh Chuong district), said: "Many persimmon trees that yielded several hundred kilograms of fruit in previous years only produced a few tens of kilograms this year, a yield only one-tenth of what it was in previous years." (Photo: Huy Thu)

bna_3(1).jpg — When the persimmon season arrives, those who make a living climbing persimmon trees (buying whole trees) become very busy. They usually go in groups of 2-4 people, carrying poles to poke the persimmons and rolls of nets and tarpaulins on the back of their vehicles to catch the fruit. Persimmon pickers from Thanh Chuong district spread out to all persimmon-growing areas, sometimes even venturing into Anh Son district, Ha Tinh province, to hunt for fruit. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_4(1)-3a46e07253e51a20052e9b84d16a530e.jpg — On sunny days, to avoid the heat, people usually go to pick canarium fruit early. Around 5:00-5:30 AM, they are already at the base of the trees. According to the locals, the earlier they finish picking during this season, the better; firstly, they avoid the strong sun, making it less tiring, and secondly, the fruit doesn't ripen under the trees. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_5..jpg — Climbing the Terminalia catappa tree has always been a strenuous job. The trees are tall, and the small fruits are difficult to harvest. Using a ladder only helps for the lower part of the tree; the harvesters must rely on their own strength to climb the upper parts. Many harvesters are careless and don't use safety ropes. Several accidents related to climbing Terminalia catappa trees have occurred in various localities. (Photo: Huy Thư)

In the groups harvesting canarium fruit, men usually climb the trees, while women pick the fruit. Before harvesting, people will set up nets or tarpaulins to catch the fruit. During the harvesting process, if the sun shines on the base of the tree and the fruit falls, they must be picked up immediately to prevent it from ripening. Photo: Huy Thu

Climbing the tree is difficult, but picking the fruit is even harder, as you have to use a pole to poke at each cluster or individual fruit. This year the persimmon crop is poor, with sparse fruit, so pickers have to move branches frequently, which is tiring, but they only manage to pick a few fruits. Photo: Huy Thu

For the past two years, the persimmon crop has failed, especially this season. People who work as persimmon tree climbers are all saddened because despite hard work, their income is meager, and sometimes they even suffer heavy losses. Mr. Tran Van Mao, a long-time persimmon picker in Thanh Nho commune, Thanh Chuong district, said that his group spent nearly 500 million VND buying persimmons from the trees this year. Some orchards were bought when the trees were just flowering for 35 million VND, and now they only harvest about 150 kg of fruit. (Photo: Huy Thu)

According to those who work as persimmon tree climbers, when they encounter persimmon trees without fruit, even after paying for the fruit, they have to negotiate with the owners to get a small discount. Many households agree to let the climbers come back the following year to harvest again to compensate for this year, or if the tree has few fruits, they will harvest whatever they can find on the tree and buy it accordingly. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_10..jpg — Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, a man who harvests Terminalia chebula fruit in Thanh Lien commune, shared: "Buying Terminalia chebula fruit directly from the trees is a matter of luck. This year's harvest was poor, and those who bought when the trees were just flowering suffered greater losses than those who bought when the trees already bore fruit." According to Mr. Thanh, this year he and his wife spent nearly 300 million VND buying whole trees. The yield he has harvested in recent days is estimated at about 30-40% compared to last year. The harvested fruit is sold to purchasing centers that ship it to other provinces or to traders who sell it retail at markets. Photo: Huy Thu

Black olives from Thanh Chuong are experiencing a poor harvest and soaring prices. The wholesale price of olives at purchasing centers in Thanh Chuong district ranges from 105,000 to 110,000 VND/kg. Currently, almost all purchasing centers are experiencing shortages because there are few olives, they are not fully ripe, and there aren't enough to harvest for demand. Black olives sold in rural markets in Thanh Chuong are priced from 120,000 to 140,000 VND/kg, about 20,000-40,000 VND/kg more expensive than in 2023. (Photo: Huy Thu)

Locals harvest black olives in Thanh Tung commune (Thanh Chuong district). Video: Huy Thu

Huy Thu