Kumquat farmers gear up for Tet celebrations

With just over two months until Tet (Lunar New Year) 2026, kumquat farms in northern Dong Nai, including Loc Quang commune, are in full swing. Farmers carefully prune, shape, and tend each tree to produce evenly golden fruits, ready for the holiday market.

Kumquat growers in Loc Quang are busy tending and shaping their trees to meet demand for the 2026 Lunar New Year season.

Good yield with favorable prices

From early morning, Le Thanh Tu’s kumquat orchard in Thang Loi Hamlet, Loc Quang Commune, buzzes with activity as workers prune branches and shape the trees. Heavy clusters of fruit hang under careful attention, promising a bountiful Tet harvest. With good yields, strong prices, and favorable weather, the family plans to sell over 300 trees this season and is considering expanding the orchard in the future.

Tu said favorable weather and ample rainfall this year have cut irrigation and utility costs, helping the kumquat trees grow healthier and more evenly. He plans to expand the orchard to 400–500 trees next year, if conditions remain favorable, noting that cultivating ornamental kumquats is a lucrative venture that will help boost his family’s income.

Tu added that cultivating ornamental kumquats requires year-round care, with the busiest period starting in late September and early October of the lunar calendar. “Growers must carefully plan soil preparation, select varieties, apply fertilizers, and monitor growth to shape trees and ensure round fruits and lush leaves. Every step demands patience, precision, and experience,” he explained.

Pham Quoc Thang, head of the kumquat growers’ group in Loc Quang commune, said, “To produce a high-quality ornamental kumquat, growers must start with strong saplings, prioritizing varieties with large leaves and fruits. The cultivation process takes approximately three years to produce standard trees, which are typically 2 to 2.5 meters tall. During this period, growers work on the roots annually, digging up and relocating the trees to promote healthy root development and encourage new growth.” He added that wholesale prices for kumquats at the garden currently range from 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND per tree.

Concerns over potential natural disasters have prompted traders to visit kumquat gardens early, securing the best trees in advance. Growers say 30-40% of their stock has already been reserved, creating a lively market well ahead of the usual peak season.

Loc Quang commune currently has 13 members in its kumquat growers’ association, each cultivating 4,000–5,000 trees, including seedlings, young plants, and market-ready trees. This year, the cooperative plans to supply over 6,500 kumquat trees to meet demand for the 2026 Lunar New Year.  

Developing Loc Quang’s kumquat identity

Beyond selling their crops, the Loc Quang kumquat growers are actively building the village’s brand. Showcasing the most beautiful trees at the local product center allows visitors to explore, take photos, and helps promote Loc Quang’s ornamental kumquats to a broader audience.

Nguyen Van Ha, Chairman of the Loc Quang Farmers’ Association, said that the association allocated 350 million VND at the beginning of the year to provide preferential loans to members of the kumquat growers’ group. The funding helps farmers invest in seedlings, materials, and proper tree care. This financial support, combined with coordinated efforts to showcase and promote the trees, has boosted both economic returns and the growing reputation of Loc Quang’s ornamental kumquats.

The kumquat-growing sector in Loc Quang helps preserve the traditional Tet plant culture while also serving as a key source of income for local farmers.

Nguyen Van Dai from Tan Tien Commune, Dong Nai Province, said he visited the garden and found the kumquats to be visually appealing and high-yielding. He is currently researching prices to source them for sale during the upcoming Tet holiday. According to Dai, Loc Quang ornamental kumquats are favored for their consistent quality, reasonable prices, and strong market demand.

Despite various challenges, Loc Quang’s ornamental kumquats have steadily gained a strong market reputation, thanks to the dedication and adaptability of local growers, as well as timely support from local authorities. These vibrant kumquats not only brighten Tet celebrations but also provide farmers with significant income and motivate them to expand production in future seasons.

By Le Hue – Translated by Tam Binh, Minho