Struggling to find market for above 4,700 tons of longan

In July and August, more than 4,700 tons of longan will be harvested. However, it's hard to find market for such a huge quantity of longan.

Longan growers are facing difficulties in finding market due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

With 793ha of longan trees, Chau Thanh district is among the largest longan producer in Dong Thap province. This year, logan production is estimated to reach more than 13,400 tons and harvesting time will last from July to December 2021.

However, because the province is implementing social distancing measures the consumption of longan may be more difficult, especially in July and August when over 4,700 tons of longan will be harvested but the market for such a huge volume of longan is not guaranteed.

But of more concern is An Nhon commune, a large longan growing area of ChauThanh district is under Covid-19 lockdown resulting in difficulties in harvesting.

Chau Thanh longan is now consumed in small quantities and the farm-gate price for longan is only VND10,000 per kilogram.

Phung Tan Phuong located in An Nhon commune, Chau Thanh district has 0.5 ha of longan trees which come to the reaping but no traders have come here. He sadly said:" I have grown Ido longan variety for 10 years but I have never seen such a low price only VND10,000 per kilogram.  In addition, when I called traders they even didn't pick up the phone. With this price  and current pandemic situation, I will suffer a heavy loss this crop because all input costs for this longan crop are high."

In the face of this situation, Secretary of the Party Central Committee of Dong Thap Province, Le Quoc Phong along with leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Industry and Trade of Dong Thap province worked with Chau Thanh district's authorities to find a solution.

Secretary of the Party Central Committee of Dong Thap Province, Le Quoc Phong said: "To solve the problem and support farmers during the pandemic, first, functional authority will help growers in harvesting, packaging and transporting under disease safety circumstances. Even all individuals involved in these activities will be given priority for getting Covid-19 vaccines.

In addition, focusing on promoting Chau Thanh Longan products on social media so that Chau Thanh longan is popularly known in many localities. At the same time, speeding up the application of e-commerce and establishing distribution channels , enlarging the market to the Central and Northern regions.