In brief
This year's Lunar New Year in Vietnam faces unusual challenges as extreme weather impacts the harvest and prices of kumquat trees, essential for Tet festivities. Farmers are struggling with surpluses and losses from Typhoon Yagi and rising temperatures.
In the weeks leading up to the Lunar New Year, Vietnam typically shows off its vibrant culture through the sale of potted kumquat trees, a staple of Tet that symbolizes luck and prosperity. However, this year has seen significant disruptions due to extreme weather, including a typhoon and unusual heat, both of which took a toll on the harvest.During Tet, which began this week, families adorn their homes and businesses with the orange-hued kumquat trees, often transporting them on motorbikes. Yet the market has been scrambled, with prices fluctuating dramatically. Following damaging events, many households turned to more affordable ornamental plants, like orchids and persimmon branches, or opted for smaller kumquat trees.Farmers, including Nguyen Thi Hoa near Hanoi, are facing a steep decline in sales, with unsold kumquat trees lining their fields. Wholesalers initially raised their prices due to lower availability, but demand waned as consumers hesitated owing to concerns about the quality and harvest of kumquats this year. Ms. Hoa noted that the aesthetics of the produce reflect poorly on this season's yield, contributing to a market slump.The effects of September's Typhoon Yagi still linger as flooding destroyed crops crucial to the Lunar New Year celebrations. Hoa recounted losing nearly half of her 500 plants to the floodwaters. As the holiday approaches, these varied impacts reflect a tough year for both farmers and the traditional observances of Tet, leaving many in the industry disheartened over their diminished fortunes.
