Why is the labeling of Vinh oranges' origin slow?

(Baonghean.vn) - Consumers are currently very confused by the orange market which is flooded with many different types. Meanwhile, the process of applying traceability labels to Vinh oranges is progressing slowly.

Traders buy selected oranges at an orange garden in Quy Hop area at a price of 40,000 - 45,000 VND/kg. Photo: Xuan Hoang

​Orange prices vary from region to region.

Orange growers across the province are entering the main harvest season, however orange prices vary from place to place.

While oranges in Quy Hop cost 40,000 - 45,000 VND/kg, orange growers in Con Cuong district said that the price of oranges this year has decreased compared to last year. Currently, the most beautiful oranges cost 30,000 VND/kg in the garden, but consumption is slow.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Sy - Head of the Agriculture Department of Con Cuong district said: "Con Cuong oranges are slow to sell because traders are transporting a lot of oranges from other places. Although the quality is the same, the appearance is more beautiful, so Con Cuong oranges are forced to lower their prices."

In Nghia Dan district, the price of oranges at the garden depends on each region, but in general, it is still the lowest. Mr. Ngo Sy Binh - Chairman of Nghia Hieu Commune People's Committee said that the locality has 197 hectares of oranges, currently people sell them at 35,000 VND/kg for good fruit; bad fruit is priced at 20,000 VND/kg.

However, according to our research, in other communes of Nghia Dan (communes far from Quy Hop district), the price of oranges at the garden is only 15,000 - 20,000 VND/kg. At the same time, the retail orange selling points on the roads of Nghia Dan district are also only 20,000 - 25,000 VND/kg.

Quy Hop Orange. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Oranges in Tan Ky district are highly appreciated by consumers because they have a fragrant, sweet taste, so the price at the garden is 40,000 VND/kg. Mr. Ngo Van Than, an orange grower in Tan Thanh hamlet, Tan An commune, said: Traders who come to the garden often buy selectively, beautiful fruits they buy for 40,000 VND/kg, bad, small fruits, they only buy for 25,000 - 30,000 VND/kg. With such a price, orange growers can accept it.

Thus, at present, the prices of oranges in the garden vary quite a lot between orange growing areas in the province. Therefore, consumers are afraid that traders may take advantage of mixing oranges to sell to customers at high prices.

2 orange growing facilities will beorigin traceability stamp

Faced with the current situation of oranges being sold everywhere from rural areas to cities, consumers are wondering and asking: Why have the authorities not yet organized the application of electronic stamps to trace the origin of Vinh oranges to ensure the rights of customers?

Quy Hop oranges are displayed and sold everywhere at Hung Dung market, Vinh city, but there is no information about their origin or traceability stamps, so consumers cannot distinguish them. Photo: Quang An

Explaining this issue, Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology said: Currently, oranges sold on the market cannot be confirmed whether that type of orange is included in the Vinh orange geographical indication or not.

As planned, on the morning of November 7, the Department of Science and Technology will organize the labeling of two orange production and trading cooperatives, Tan Thanh and Phung Huyen, in Quy Hop district. The remaining orange production facilities must complete their documents to have a basis for issuing traceability stamps.

» Worried when the price of oranges at the garden is equal to the retail price on the street

Xuan Hoang - Quang An