Litchi growers in Thanh Ha district, northern Hai Duong province are still wondering why Thanh Ha litchi - a well-known trademark - cannot sell at a higher price, particularly after Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Litchis in Thanh Ha district are in the middle of harvest time. This year litchi growers boast a high yield. However, the price for their product is much lower than expected to compare with others.

Nguyen Van Tu, a litchi grower in Vinh Lap commune, says he feels glad about the litchi boom but is very worried about its price.

In previous years, private dealers had to pay VND10,000 for a kilo of litchi. This year, things are different. Growers have to pick litchis, pack them and sell for just VND4,000 per kg.

Tu says he has grown around 300 litchi trees. During the season, he has to hire dozens of labourers to pick and pack the fruits and transport them nearly 100km to Quang Ninh province just to sell them at VND5,500 per kg. Though the price is low, he cannot wait any longer because the litchi will not survive in the hot weather.

Thanh Ha litchi is most favoured in Vietnam thanks to its sweet, small seed and watery characteristics. Thanh Ha district is expected to collect 30,000 tonnes of fresh litchi from now till the end of June.

Engineer Le Van Dung from Thanh Ha district’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says Thanh Ha set up an association of litchi production and distribution two years ago. The district built a trademark for Thanh Ha Litchi and sent a file to the Intellectual Property Agency for approval. It is expected that Thanh Ha will receive the certificate of geographic guideline for Thanh Ha litchi on June 8. Although all procedures have been completed, Thanh Ha farmers still fare no better.

Engineer Dung says it is necessary to find measures to preserve the litchi after havest time while continuing to develop the Thanh Ha litchi trademark. Apart from litchi, farmers are growing banana, guava, pineapple and jackfruit. Thanh Ha farmers wish to have new fruit processing factories to deal with the increase in production. While their dream is yet to come true, the project is not of much interest to investors.

There is nothing odd about Thanh Ha litchi, which is being sold at a very low price. The same story of “reap more fruit but earn less profit” is a common occurrence in many other regions.

Ha Giang orange, Binh Thuan dragon fruit, Hoa Loc mango and Nam Roi grapefruit are worth less than Thai fruits in terms of quality, appearance, preservation and trademark promotion.

Cooperation in cultivation, processing and consumption between farmers, the State, scientists and businesses has not paid dividends as expected. Many experts have proposed that each special fruit zone find a magic wand to wave and promote litchi sales through wholesale exports rather than traditional retail outlets.

In other words, without having a suitable mechanism put in place, Vietnamese farmers like litchi growers will continue to feel the pinch, particularly in the post-WTO period.

Source: VOV