Quynh Luu's vegetable farming area is facing difficulties in sales.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong's family in Hamlet 7, Quynh Minh Commune, cultivates 2 sao (approximately 0.2 hectares).spring onionsDuring the summer-autumn crop season, about one sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of onions is ready for harvest. According to Ms. Huong, this year, farmers growing vegetables have suffered losses due to the sharp drop in prices caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the year, spring onions were purchased at 2,000 VND/kg, then increased to 5,000 VND/kg, and now the purchase price has dropped to 3,000 VND/kg.

Farmers in Quynh Luong commune (Quynh Luu district) harvest vegetables. Photo: Viet Hung

"Due to the pandemic, traders are not buying in bulk; they only come to purchase small quantities when they receive orders, not in large quantities as before. Vegetables are difficult to sell, and prices have dropped sharply, causing farmers to lose about 1-1.5 million VND per sao (a unit of land measurement) of spring onions after harvest," Ms. Huong said.

TotalQuynh Luu districtCurrently, there are approximately 700 hectares of vegetable crops concentrated in the coastal communes. This season, farmers are cultivating about 90% spring onion seeds because this crop is drought-tolerant during the hot season. According to statistics from the Quỳnh Lưu District Department of Agriculture, the entire district currently has about 400 hectares of vegetable crops ready for harvest; however, due to Quỳnh Lưu's implementation of Government Directive 16, the consumption of these crops is facing many difficulties.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, vegetables are difficult to sell, and prices have dropped sharply. Photo: Viet Hung

“The entire district is implementing social distancing according to Directive 16. To avoid large gatherings, the commune requires all vegetable and crop purchasing agents to gather at one point to hire vehicles for transportation and distribution. In particular, focus on purchasing vegetables and crops from farmers, seeking and expanding markets for product consumption, while simultaneously ensuring compliance with disease prevention and control regulations during the transportation of goods.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Tue - Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luong Commune

At the markets, vegetables are sold at exorbitant prices. Photo: Viet Hung

While vegetables in the field aretradersDespite low purchase prices, many vegetables are being sold at higher prices than their actual purchase price at markets both within and outside the district. At Giát Crossroads Market (Quỳnh Lưu), spring onions are being sold at 15,000 VND/kg; pumpkins and squash at 45,000 VND/kg; and cabbage at 15,000 VND/kg...