Despite the selling prices of many crops in the southern province of Soc Trang have shown a slowdown this year, chili planters have earned huge profits. Hot chili trees have opened a new, promising business trend for farmers in this Mekong Delta province.

Local planters have sold their hottest chili or ot chi thien,(meaning chili that points to the sky) or ot hiem (chili like Pequin) between 38,000 and 42,000 VND per kilo as their wholesale prices, the highest selling rate recorded in Soc Trang over the last couple of years.

According to farmer Ly En from Dai Tam village, My Xuyen district, his family has earned over 10 million VND as profits from his 2,000 square metres of chili plantation. En said if the chili selling price keeps stable from now to the lunar New Year, he will earn a highest income level over the last ten years.

Farmer Lam Thanh Ha explained that chili planters in Soc Trang province have enjoyed a bumper crop due to favourable weather conditions. Ha said under the shadow of chili trees, farmers also can grow lettuces, green onions, and coleslaws to add up their incomes.-VNA