Mulberry fields in Hanoi turn red when April comes

NDO – Every year at the end of March and early April, the mulberry fields turn dark red, and farmers enter the harvest season of ripe mulberries. In the northern regions, mulberries are mostly grown on the banks of the Red, Day and Thai Binh rivers.

Located along the banks of the Day river, Hiep Thuan commune in Hanoi’s suburban district of Phuc Tho is known as a major mulberry basket of the capital city.

In early April, mulberry growers hurriedly pick the ripe fruit.

Hiep Thuan has more than 15 hectares of mulberries, and each tree can generate around 100 kg of fruits per season.

Ripe mulberries are red and dark purple. The sweet-sour fruits are juicy, while the leaves can be cooked as a vegetable.

Under fruit laden braches, farmers harvest mulberries from 7 AM until late in the afternoon.

Picking mulberries requires a lot of care as the fruit is small and easily rots.

The retail price of ripe mulberries is between VND20,000-25,000 per kg while wholesale price per kg ranges from VND15,000 to VND18,000.

An owner of a mulberry garden in Hiep Thuan said her family cultivates 40 mulberry trees and harvests approximately 400 kg of the fruit per season.

Gardeners in Hiep Thuan commune usually pick about 8 tonnes of ripe mulberries every day, even up to 14 tonnes during peak harvest time.