The plight of Dong Nai’s banana farmers has received considerable attention in the media of late.  The farmers, whose produce typically sells for between 14,000 and 17,000 VND per kilogram, have seen those prices collapse to as low as 1,000 – 2,000.  Tons of bananas have therefore been used as feed for livestock instead.

In line with its ongoing commitment to the farmers of Vietnam, Big C today launched its ‘No profit Dong Nai Banana’ campaign. This program will see the leading supermarket chain purchase 100 tons of bananas, absorb transportation, logistics and marketing costs, and retailing the fruit at 5,900 VND per kilogram at 15 stores around the country with all proceeds going directly to the farmers themselves. Our commitment to the quality and safety of the products that we sell to our customers is unwavering,  so all bananas we purchase will meet all of our health and hygiene standards for food safety.

Big C makes no profit whatsoever on these fruits.

Bananas are a staple of the Dong Nai economy, with many households dependent on the fruit’s export markets.  However, in the midst of a current downturn in the export market it is ultimately the farmers that suffer.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Dong Nai Farmers’ Association convened recently to explore solutions for the industry, with over 10 tons of bananas (over 200 ha of farmlands) approaching their harvest time.  Bananas both ripen and over-ripen quickly, requiring consumption within ten days of their picking.

In line with a nationwide commitment to support Vietnamese farmers and manufacturers, Big C has a long history of cooperating with farmers in challenging times. The company regularly announces purchases and no profit sales initiatives to support the output of farmers. The have included: Hanh tim Nghia tinh (support Soc Trang shallot farmers, 2016); the fresh pompano selling program (support fishermen of 4 Central provinces, 2016); Bac Giang Lychee Week (support lychee farmers in Bac Giang province, 2015, 2016) and many other non-profit sales for Vietnamese agricultural products such as Hoa Binh orange; Da Lat onion; Da Lat tomato; Quang Nam watermelon; Ninh Binh pineapple and so forth