Highland traders earn tens of millions of dong per day thanks to peach and dong leaves

(Baonghean.vn) - In the days leading up to Tet, traders from the lowlands flock to the highlands of Ky Son district to buy peach blossoms and dong leaves to sell. Many people can earn tens of millions of dong each day thanks to these Tet shipments.

Along the route from Muong Xen town (Ky Son) to the highland communes of Huoi Tu and Muong Long these days, people and vehicles are bustling back and forth. Trucks full of peach blossoms and dong leaves are bustling down the river. They have been “camping” here since mid-December (lunar calendar) to buy highland products from the locals. But the most valuable and profitable products are still stone peach blossoms and dong leaves.

Traders gathered around a villager to buy peaches that had just been brought back from the forest in Muong Long commune. Photo: Dao Tho

We approached a peach trader named B in Hoa Son village (Ta Ca commune) to ask about the peach market for Tet this year. Since we are acquaintances, B was very open in telling us: “Peaches are very rare this year, so the xieu (B's name for the traders) are charging sky-high prices. There are branches that cost nearly a million VND when bought in the village, but when they reach town, they cost nearly 5 million VND. On lucky days, we can earn tens of millions in profit.”

After saying that, B introduced us to some branches that were still hidden in the house, waiting for the right rare day to be released for sale. "When we are friends, I only charge a few hundred thousand for gas, I don't dare to make much profit. But if I go to the market, the price is very high, at least one branch can make a profit of millions" - B shared. After saying that, B pointed to each peach branch and said the price. All the branches have unique shapes that according to B, can make a profit of 2-3 million/branch. "Here, like this guy yesterday bought a branch from me for nearly 3 million, as soon as he left the house, someone asked for 5 million back" - B said while pointing to a friend standing nearby.

Similarly, a trader specializing in selling Tet peach blossoms on the Huoi Tu route, Muong Long also said that peach blossoms are becoming increasingly rare these days. Only beautiful peach blossoms are valuable, while normal peach blossoms can only earn a profit of a few hundred silver coins. "This morning, I bought a branch in Huoi Tu for 7 million. As soon as I brought it to Muong Xen town, I sold it for 15 million without much effort" - Trader P said happily. We asked some people around and everyone confirmed that this was true. Just like that, in the days before Tet, this trader can earn 30 - 40 million dong.

A peach branch sold in Muong Xen town brings in a huge profit. There are days when peach traders can earn more than ten million VND. Photo: Dao Tho

Not only peach traders but also dong leaf traders earn huge profits from Tet shipments. The price of dong leaves this year has been constantly fluctuating. Right from the beginning of the season, the price was double that of last year, and it increased sharply towards the end. In mid-December, dong leaves cost 16-18 thousand VND/bundle (100) leaves, now it has increased to 24-26 thousand VND/bundle.

A dong leaf trader is arranging the leaves for sale. Photo: Dao Tho

A trader in Nam Can commune said that fortunately, since the beginning of the season, he had ordered more than 100,000 leaves from the villagers at a low price, so now he has earned 50-60 million VND from exporting them. "Unfortunately, now that Tet is approaching, dong leaves are very scarce. Even if trucks come here to order and pay a high price, we have no choice but to accept it. After waiting all day to pay the villagers, we have only earned a few tens of thousands of leaves."

Trucks full of dong leaves heading downstream. Dong leaf traders also earn "huge" profits from this item. Photo: Dao Tho

Trader T, who also lives in Nam Can commune and specializes in buying dong leaves for retail, is different. T orders leaves from the locals at the beginning of the season and selects them, removing all the small, ugly leaves except for the beautiful ones. Each bundle is sold by T for 40,000 VND to those who buy them as gifts and pre-order. "For those who buy in large quantities, I only give 40,000 VND/bundle, but if you bring them down to the lowlands to sell retail, it's 150,000 VND/bundle" - Trader T said. This season, T can make a profit of 30-40 million VND from selling dong leaves.

Thus, it can be seen that, in addition to clean agricultural products in the highlands, in the days before Tet, traders all have "huge" profits from peaches and dong leaves./.

Dao Tho