Chi Lang district has the largest chili-growing area in Lang Son province (accounting for about 50%). This is one of the key crops of the district, which people focus on production in the winter-spring season.
The whole district planted about 726 ha of chili this year which was a decrease of 20 ha compared to last year. About 300 ha were planted under VietGAP standards with 192.3 ha having been granted planting area codes (equivalent to 31 codes), concentrated in some communes and towns such as Nhan Ly, Mai Sao, and Dong Mo town.
This year, chili prices have decreased.
Currently, farmers are entering the main chili harvest. However, pests and diseases are seriously affecting the quality and yield of chili.
A farmer in Dong Mo town said that: From the beginning of the crop, his family has spent nearly 9 million VND to invest in seeds and fertilizers. However, when the harvest is near, two-thirds of the chili area is dead, withered, or rotten.
Not only the risk of crop failure but the chili growers of Chi Lang district also face a decrease in chili prices. In 2023, the price of Chi Lang chili was over 30,000 VND/kg at the beginning of the crop and the average price of the whole season was about 18,000 VND/kg. This year, the price was only 18,000 VND/kg at first and then it decreased to 10,000 or 12,000 VND/kg depending on the type.
According to the People’s Committee of Chi Lang district, the production of chili has decreased quite sharply with an estimated output of about 4,000 tons (in 2023, it reached 5,000 tons). With the current low average price, the total value from chili only reaches about 48 billion VND, a decrease of 50% compared to 2023./.