Mid-July Festival: Chrysanthemums are predicted to be abundant, but many types of fruit may be in short supply.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on August 4th, Mr. Ly Phu Qui, director of Dam Sen flower market (District 11, Ho Chi Minh City), said that the supply of flowers to the market is relatively stable. Flowers commonly used in the 7th lunar month, such as chrysanthemums, lilies, and gladioli, arrive at an average of about 4 trucks per day – equivalent to 250 boxes (each box weighing 50kg). Prices for these items have increased slightly compared to before, with regular chrysanthemums at 8,000-10,000 VND/bundle, mesh chrysanthemums at 20,000-25,000 VND/bundle, gladioli at 20,000 VND/bundle, and lilies at 70,000-100,000 VND/bundle of 5 stems.

According to Mr. Qui, from around the 6th day of the 7th lunar month, the amount of flowers arriving at the market will gradually increase due to high demand from the people, reaching its peak around the full moon.

"Demand is increasing, but supply is also expected to increase sharply, especially chrysanthemums from Lam Dong to Ho Chi Minh City, as many growers are prioritizing planting them for sale at this time of year. Therefore, the selling prices of flowers for offerings during this period are unlikely to increase too dramatically," Mr. Qui predicted.

According to representatives of Dam Sen flower market, during the peak season of the 7th lunar month (the full moon), the amount of chrysanthemums, lilies, and gladioli entering the market each day can reach about 20-25 truckloads (4-5 times more than usual); selling prices may increase by 70-100%. This price increase is similar to last year and is considered not too strong compared to the demand during peak seasons every year.

Many small traders say that about 60-70% of the flowers in Ho Chi Minh City are imported from Lam Dong province, with a small number, such as white lilies and marigolds, imported from the Southwestern region of Vietnam.

"Last year, the price of flowers for offerings during the full moon festival increased sharply, so gardeners rushed to plant them to harvest and sell during this period. However, if the weather in the South is rainy during the peak season, it could affect consumption as the number of buyers decreases," worried Ms. Ngo Huong Thao, a trader at Dam Sen flower market.

Concerns arise that fruit prices are fluctuating wildly due to supply shortages.

Meanwhile, the prices of some fruits sold at retail markets in Ho Chi Minh City are trending upwards, such as dragon fruit at 25,000-45,000 VND/kg, pomelo at 35,000-60,000 VND/kg, watermelon at 15,000-20,000 VND/kg, and mango at 35,000-75,000 VND/kg depending on the variety...

According to many orchard owners, due to the end of the harvest season or out-of-season conditions, the supply of many types of fruit is decreasing, while demand is gradually increasing as the seventh lunar month approaches, pushing up the prices of some varieties.

According to Mr. Le Minh Sang, director of Tan My Fruit Cooperative ( Binh Duong province), the current price of pomelo sold at the orchard is stable at 27,000-29,000 VND/kg (bulk sale); the price for supermarkets is 40,000 VND/kg (selected quality). These prices are down 3,000-4,000 VND compared to last month but higher than the same period last year.

Mr. Sang said that although pomelos are harvested year-round, the supply is currently low, so there may not be enough production to meet demand in July. Therefore, if demand is high, the price of pomelos on the market is likely to increase sharply during this period.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Nguyen The Bao, director of Suoi Lon Mango Cooperative ( Dong Nai province), said that depending on the variety and region, the main mango season mostly lasts from December to May. Therefore, the supply of mangoes is currently quite limited, and prices are high.

According to many small traders, the demand for fruit increases sharply in the seventh lunar month to serve religious ceremonies, but at this time the supply mainly revolves around a few types that bear fruit year-round such as pomelo, watermelon, and dragon fruit... Therefore, if demand is concentrated on these types, supply will fall short of demand, and prices will be high.