Green bananas are a staple in the North’s traditional tray of five types of tropical fruits during the Lunar New Year.
Traders travel to the South to buy green bananas to sell in the North
According to Feng Shui principles, green bananas represent the wood element in the five elements theory. Moreover, due to their characteristic of growing in clusters, green bananas symbolize unity, abundance, and warmth within the family.
However, this year’s supply for the Lunar New Year market is scarce as the growing areas in the North were heavily impacted by Storm No. 3 and flooding.
Ms. Nguyen Nhan, from Tu Ky district, Hai Duong province, shared that her family had about one hectare of green bananas for the Lunar New Year market last year. Unfortunately, the bananas were damaged by Storm No. 3 this year, resulting in a complete loss for the family this season.
Meanwhile, Mr. Minh Hoang, a trader in Hanoi, shared that he had just returned from Dong Nai, the “capital” of bananas, where he purchased two truckloads to sell for the five-fruit trays during the Lunar New Year.
“I bought them directly from the gardens at a price of 25,000 – 30,000 VND/kg. A bunch of ten clusters costs around 250,000 – 300,000 VND,” said Mr. Hoang.
Green bananas bought directly from the gardens are priced at 300,000 – 500,000 VND per bunch
In Hanoi, many retailers in the markets stated that the price of green bananas for the five-fruit trays this year is two to four times higher than last year. Well-shaped banana clusters are sold for 200,000 – 300,000 VND per cluster.
Previously, Mr. Nguyen Hong Yen, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection in Hoa Binh province, mentioned that many northern provinces were affected by Storm No. 3, resulting in significant damage to banana crops. At the same time, the Chinese market has a high demand for bananas.
In the South, Mr. Vo Quan Huy, Director of Huy Long An Co., Ltd. (Long An), shared that the high banana prices have benefited farmers.
