Unique market in Ha Tinh only sells "first class fruit"

From early morning, people started bringing Phuc Trach grapefruit to the grapefruit market for trading.

Every day, from 6am to late afternoon, the small market near Huong Pho station, Huong Khe commune is crowded with buyers and sellers. Hundreds of households from Huong Khe, Huong Pho, Huong Do, Phuc Trach communes and neighboring areas are busy picking and transporting grapefruit to the market. Although there is only one product, grapefruit, the market is always bustling and crowded.

Mr. Dang Ba Quyen (Huong Pho commune) has been selling grapefruit at the market for more than 10 days now.

Mr. Dang Ba Quyen (Huong Pho commune) said that every time it is grapefruit harvest season, he regularly goes to the garden early in the morning to cut grapefruit, then brings it to the market to sell to traders. “This market mainly sells wholesale, many customers buy so the goods sell quickly. Once I sell out, I come back to cut more. It goes like that throughout the main crop month, almost every day I am attached to the market” - Mr. Quyen shared.

The pomelo markets are busiest during the peak month. This is when traders from all over come to buy pomelos in large sacks to transport to many provinces, from the North to the South. Some days, dozens of tons of pomelos are purchased and transported everywhere, turning the small market in Huong Khe commune into a bustling trading meeting place.

Traders from all over come to Huong Khe commune grapefruit market to buy.

Ms. Duong Thi Hoa (Huong Pho commune) often goes to the market to buy grapefruit and then take it to Nghe An and Quang Tri for consumption. "When we buy in large quantities, we pack them and load them onto trucks, and take them to markets in other provinces. During the main season, I am at this market almost every day to buy," Ms. Hoa said.

Ms. Duong Thi Hoa (right) is present at the grapefruit market every day to buy.

Also coming to the market to buy grapefruit for sale, Ms. Pham Thi Huyen (Huong Do commune) excitedly said: “The market opens from 6am, traders from everywhere come here. On average, every day, I buy about 1,000 - 1,500 fruits to sell. Thanks to this market, we can buy directly from the source at a reasonable price, making it easier to sell.”

Golden Phuc Trach grapefruits are sold by people.

This year, Phuc Trach grapefruit has a good harvest, with large, uniform fruits, beautiful colors, and a distinctive delicious flavor. However, the joy of a good harvest is mixed with worry when the purchase price is somewhat lower. Mr. Vu Tran Tuan, a trader from Nghe An, shared: “I have been buying grapefruit here for many years, so I am very familiar with the people. This year, the output is abundant, the quality is good, but the price has decreased, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per fruit depending on the type and size. On average, I buy enough for a truckload every day to bring to Nghe An for consumption.”

The pomelo markets in Huong Khe commune are not only a place for trading but also a unique seasonal cultural feature. Each market not only brings opportunities to earn a living, but also an occasion for people to meet, exchange experiences, and together preserve the Phuc Trach pomelo brand.

Amidst the modern pace of life, the grapefruit market still retains its rustic, familiar features, becoming a unique cultural feature, contributing to improving life and preserving the identity of the homeland.