Why are cheap Vinh Long oranges still difficult to sell?

Despite the surprisingly low prices, many orange selling points with signs saying “Rescue Vinh Long oranges” still face difficulties in selling.

Oranges flood Ho Chi Minh City

In recent days, images of trucks and orange selling points with signs “rescuing Vinh Long oranges” or “Vinh Long orange specialties” have appeared on many streets and markets in Ho Chi Minh City at very cheap prices, only 5,000 VND/kg or 50,000 - 55,000 VND/10 kg bag.

Specifically, along Vo Nguyen Giap Street (Thu Duc City), Hoang Van Thu Street (Phu Nhuan District), Pho Quang Street (Tan Binh District),... many places dumped oranges on sidewalks, carts and sold for 5,000 - 10,000 VND/kg depending on the type. Some places sell them in 10 kg bags for only 55,000 VND.

Vinh Long oranges are sold for about 5,500 VND/kg.

However, according to the reporter of Cong Thuong Newspaper, although the price is cheap, the purchasing power is still not really high because the amount of oranges pouring into Ho Chi Minh City is too much. Sellers hope that when the hot season begins, the demand for oranges will increase in the coming time.

Ms. Le Thi Bich, an orange trader on Vo Nguyen Giap Street (Thu Duc City) said that this year the import price of Vinh Long oranges has increased significantly compared to last year, but compared to the general market level, it is still low. The reason is that oranges are in season, the supply is abundant, and the amount of goods coming in is large, so the price cannot be pushed up .

“Oranges are a type of fruit that cannot be kept for long. If they are not sold quickly, they can easily spoil, losing both capital and money. Therefore, even if the price is low, I still have to sell them to recover my capital. Selling them a little cheaper but still having cash flow is better than letting the oranges spoil and losing everything,” Ms. Bich shared.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh (Binh Thanh District) said that the oranges he sells are imported from the Western provinces, mainly Vinh Long oranges. Most of the sellers who sell at low prices import in large quantities and choose to stand on major roads, but he buys less so he often pushes his cart into residential areas to sell at higher prices.

Some mobile carts sell oranges for 6,000 VND/kg.

According to agricultural experts, the main reason for the sharp drop in orange prices is that supply exceeds demand. After Tet, oranges entered the peak harvest season, causing the amount of goods entering the market to be greater than the consumption. Meanwhile, oranges are mainly consumed domestically, without a stable export market, leading to a situation of oversupply.

Another factor affecting the consumption of oranges is their short shelf life. Unlike some other fruits that can be stored for a long time, oranges can only be stored for about 5-7 days after being picked. This causes difficulties for both sellers and buyers. If not consumed quickly, oranges will spoil, affecting their quality and reducing purchasing power.

Ms. Le Thi Thu, a customer in Thu Duc City, shared: “At first, I was hesitant because the price of oranges was too cheap, afraid that the quality was not guaranteed or that the oranges had been stored for a long time. But after seeing many people buying, I decided to try buying 10 kg for only 55,000 VND/kg. Some oranges inside were delicious, but some were also browned or softened quickly. If I buy in large quantities, I have to share some with my relatives, because after only 3-4 days the oranges start to wilt. If there was a better way to preserve them or sell them by the kilogram instead of in large bags, I would feel more secure buying more.”

Not only are consumers worried about the shelf life, they are also concerned about the quality and safety of cheap oranges. Mr. Hoang Van Tuan, a customer in Tan Binh District, said: “I really like drinking orange juice so I often buy oranges. However, when I saw the price of oranges drop so much, I was a bit worried about the quality. Once I bought a 10kg bag, but inside there were many fruits that were bruised, softened quickly or had a more sour taste than usual.”

Solutions to ensure output quality

Faced with the repeated situation of “good harvest, low price” and avoiding the “rescue refrain”, many experts believe that localities need to plan reasonable growing areas, instead of developing pomelos according to the trend, there needs to be a clear plan for growing areas, avoiding massive planting leading to product surplus. Local authorities need to support farmers in zoning growing areas, ensuring output quality and avoiding the situation of supply exceeding demand.

The scene of rescuing Vinh Long oranges is no longer strange to people in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, post-harvest processing should be enhanced to increase the value of agricultural products and storage time. Oranges have a short storage time, so it is necessary to invest in processed products such as orange juice, orange jam, and orange essential oil to help extend the product life cycle and reduce the pressure on fresh consumption.

In addition, branding and product standardization also play an important role. Having a strong brand helps pomelos have a higher value in the market, thereby avoiding price pressure. It is necessary to apply VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards to improve the quality of pomelos, helping consumers feel more secure when buying.

Especially supporting the connection between farmers and businesses. The State and agricultural organizations need to act as a bridge, helping farmers access purchasing businesses, supermarkets and food supply chains. Signing product consumption contracts helps farmers feel secure in production without worrying about output.

Currently, the “save orange” movement is still going on, but in the long term, without a proper strategy, orange growers will face many risks. Only with a sustainable solution can Vinh Long oranges avoid the “price drop” every harvest season.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/vi-sao-cam-sanh-vinh-long-gia-re-van-kho-tieu-thu-379449.html