Ly Son garlic reputation threatened by fake products
The prices and the reputation of Ly Son garlic have fallen as low-quality garlic from other areas are being brought to the island and faked as Ly Son garlic.
According to a trader, fake Ly Son garlic is sold in huge numbers due to high demand from visitors. The price of the garlic from Nha Trang City is VND28,000 (USD1.20) per kilo. After being marketed as Ly Son garlic, its price will increase to VND45,000 per kilo.
Garlic from Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan is also faked as being Ly Son garlic and sold at An Vinh Market on the island.
As a result, there is a surplus of supply and the prices and reputation of Ly Son garlic have been badly affected. After the Tet Holiday, the prices of Ly Son garlic stood at VND60,000 (USD2.60) per kilo but has now dropped to VND40,000. At some points in the past two years, the prices of dried garlic dropped to VND20,000 per kilo.
Huynh Tung, a farmer in Ly Son, said, "The price of Ly Son garlic dropped and it's so hard to sell garlic now."
On February 19 and 21, the authorities seized over one tonne of non-local garlic which was being transported into the island.
Dang Tan Thanh, vice chairman of Ly Son District People's Committee, said they had tightened monitoring and raised public awareness to protect Ly Son garlic.
"We have asked the Department of Economic and Rural Infrastructure to work on a product traceability project. It will help customers recognise the garlic better and protect the farmers," he said.
Last June, The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam issued the geographical indication certification to help manage and develop Ly Son garlic more efficiently.
Garlic sold at a market on Ly Son Island.
According to a trader, fake Ly Son garlic is sold in huge numbers due to high demand from visitors. The price of the garlic from Nha Trang City is VND28,000 (USD1.20) per kilo. After being marketed as Ly Son garlic, its price will increase to VND45,000 per kilo.
Garlic from Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan is also faked as being Ly Son garlic and sold at An Vinh Market on the island.
As a result, there is a surplus of supply and the prices and reputation of Ly Son garlic have been badly affected. After the Tet Holiday, the prices of Ly Son garlic stood at VND60,000 (USD2.60) per kilo but has now dropped to VND40,000. At some points in the past two years, the prices of dried garlic dropped to VND20,000 per kilo.
Huynh Tung, a farmer in Ly Son, said, "The price of Ly Son garlic dropped and it's so hard to sell garlic now."
On February 19 and 21, the authorities seized over one tonne of non-local garlic which was being transported into the island.
Dang Tan Thanh, vice chairman of Ly Son District People's Committee, said they had tightened monitoring and raised public awareness to protect Ly Son garlic.
"We have asked the Department of Economic and Rural Infrastructure to work on a product traceability project. It will help customers recognise the garlic better and protect the farmers," he said.
Last June, The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam issued the geographical indication certification to help manage and develop Ly Son garlic more efficiently.
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