Betel nut prices increase sharply, food prices are stable during the Full Moon Festival of January
(Baonghean.vn) - "The whole year's ceremonies are not as good as the full moon of January", in the past 2 days (January 13 and 14) at the local markets in the province, people are bustling with people shopping for offerings for the full moon. According to records, the price of the full moon of January this year is stable, except for the price of areca and betel nuts which has increased dramatically.
During the past two days (January 13 and 14), the number of people coming to traditional markets to buy offerings for the Full Moon Festival has increased. In the markets, the atmosphere is bustling and bustling, just like during Tet. To serve the shopping needs of the people, small traders have increased the amount of imported goods and diversified the types of goods.
According to records, fruit products are abundant and plentiful, prices have "cooled down" a lot compared to Tet. Accordingly, green-skinned grapefruit is priced from 40,000 - 80,000 VND/fruit (depending on weight), red dragon fruit is 60,000 VND/kg, red rose apple is 75,000 VND/kg, longan is 60,000 VND/kg, large green apple is 60,000 VND/kg, seedless watermelon is 35,000 VND/kg...
As for chrysanthemums (cup chrysanthemum, large chrysanthemum, diamond chrysanthemum), the price ranges from 5,000-7,000 VND/branch, 500-1,000 VND/branch cheaper than Tet.
At the local markets in Vinh city, in addition to traditional chrysanthemums, this year, other “country-style” flowers such as grapefruit flowers, areca flower stalks… are sold quite a lot, and the prices are also quite expensive. Specifically, 1 areca flower stalk costs 50,000-70,000 VND, grapefruit flowers 15,000-20,000 VND/plate but still attract buyers.
In particular, the price of betel nuts and areca nuts is much higher than usual and is also in high demand. In the markets in Vinh city, a plate of betel nuts and areca nuts (1 betel leaf and 1 areca nut) ranges from 35,000 to 40,000 VND/plate; in the rural markets, it ranges from 20,000 to 25,000 VND/plate.
Although the price of betel and areca nuts is suddenly expensive, they are very popular because according to people's beliefs, the offering tray for the Full Moon Festival in January cannot lack areca nuts and betel leaves.
Ms. Phan Hong Nhung, a vendor selling offerings at Coi market (Vinh city) said: "The price of betel and areca nuts is 5,000 - 10,000 VND/plate more expensive than during Tet and 4-5 times more expensive than usual.
The reason is that during the year there is a lot of frost, so the areca nut has difficulty setting fruit, so the supply of beautiful, green and bearded areca nuts is very scarce. Although it is so expensive, in the past 2 days, I have sold out all 5 bunches of areca nuts, now I am temporarily out of betel and areca nuts to sell on the Full Moon Festival.
Despite the high demand, the prices of fresh products are quite stable. Specifically, pork products such as belly, shoulder, ribs fluctuate from 120,000 - 160,000 VND/kg, beef such as flank, tenderloin, thigh... are priced from 280,000 - 330,000 VND/kg. Ham and sausage products such as silk ham, ear ham, flower ham, chicken ham are sold at prices from 130,000 - 280,000 VND/kg.
Regarding poultry products, although the demand for chickens for the Full Moon Festival in January is quite high, the selling price of this item has not increased much, fluctuating at 130,000 - 140,000 VND/kg depending on the type.
Fresh aquatic and seafood products, although lower than Tet, are still "anchored" and the quantity is not much. Especially shrimp, white pomfret, grouper... prices are still much higher than usual. Particularly, large fresh shrimp (20-25 pieces/kg) costs 350-370,000 VND/kg; smaller ones 35-40 pieces/kg cost 250,000 VND/kg; yellowfin white pomfret costs 200,000 VND/kg...
The price of green vegetables has now dropped sharply, returning to normal prices. Currently, kohlrabi is priced at 8,000 VND/kg, cauliflower is 8,000-10,000 VND/head, carrots are 10,000 VND/kg, tomatoes are 15,000 VND/kg, mustard greens are 10,000 VND/bunch, cabbage is 12,000 VND/kg...
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dao, a vegetable trader at Quan Lau market, said: "Currently, green vegetables are in the harvest season, and the supply is abundant. In addition, the weather is favorable, so many households can grow their own vegetables, so the price of this item is quite cheap."
The full moon of January, also known as Tet Nguyen Tieu, is an important holiday in the minds of Vietnamese people. Therefore, people pay attention to the full moon worship. Although the demand for worshiping offerings has increased, unlike many years, the price of food and goods on the full moon of January this year is stable, helping people to shop conveniently.
