Ensure no shortage of goods or price hikes in case the epidemic becomes complicated

Locally scarce green vegetables

Green vegetables are in short supply at the markets, prices are pushed up. Photo: Thanh Phuc

After Vinh City stepped up control of people on the streets and started implementing it on August 19,grocery cardfor the people, on August 17 and 18, many people proactively went to the market to buy goods for storage. The demand for food, especially green vegetables, was pushed up, along with that, wholesale markets were temporarily suspended, neighboring districts such as Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen, Cua Lo... are all implementing social distancing, leading to the supply of vegetables and fruits being interrupted, pushing up the prices of all kinds of vegetables at markets and many retail stores (except large supermarkets), some types doubled, tripled.

In many markets on the morning of August 18, green vegetables were "sold out" despite high prices. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Some timeslocal shortages,especially on august 17, vegetables and tubers in stores, supermarkets and traditional markets all sold out early.

With no more leafy vegetables, many people are looking to buy vegetables and fruits to store for a long time such as: green squash, pumpkin, carrots, potatoes, green bananas... but the prices of these items have also been pushed up. Specifically, before, the price of green squash was only about 12,000-15,000 VND/kg, but now it is 40,000-45,000 VND/kg; green squash 30,000 VND/kg (3 times higher), pumpkin 40,000 VND/kg (double higher); passionflower 100,000 VND/kg (3 times higher); sweet potato 30,000 VND/kg (double higher)...

At Vinh Tan market (Vinh Tan ward, Vinh city), on the morning of August 18, many beef and pork stalls sold out early, and green vegetables were "sold out". Ms. Nguyen Bich Ha (Trang An apartment building) said: "I went to the market before the card was issued, and bought a lot at once to use for the whole week. Other foods are at normal prices, only green vegetables have increased in price sharply".

Green vegetables are abundant in supermarkets, prices are stable, and the number of buyers has increased by 300% compared to before. Photo: Thanh Phuc

At a large supermarket in Ben Thuy, the amount ofsudden increase in customers, mainly retail customers increased by 300%, focusing on buying essential items such as vegetables, meat, fish... "Food items, especially green vegetables, have the strongest consumption. At our supermarket, goods are very abundant and prices are stable. However, during this time, to prevent the epidemic, people should buy online such as buying by phone, Zalo, Facebook, we will serve at home, with many incentives, stable prices", said Mr. Nguyen Cong Viet - Director of this supermarket.

According to traders, the price of green vegetables will stabilize in the next few days when they connect with the supply source, and suppliers from other provinces as well as within the province will complete the procedures and documents related to the passport to deliver goods at the checkpoints. The price of vegetables may increase compared to before due to transportation costs but will not increase too much.

Regulating supply and demand, ensuring no shortage of goods or price hikes

Faced with the complicated developments of the epidemic, the authorities have prepared plans to regulate supply and demand, avoiding disruptions in the supply chain of goods. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Cao Minh Tu - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade affirmed: "The Department has worked directly with distributors, businesses, and supermarket systems. The amount of essential goods in reserve is 4-5 times higher than normal, ready to increase the supply capacity by 50-100% in case the epidemic becomes complicated.

In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade has proposed that the Vinh City People's Committee approve the permission for business vehicles to operate 24/7.supply of essential goods, necessities to serve people's needs, stabilize the market and prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic.

In the next few days, with market regulation, vegetable prices will stabilize again. Photo: Thanh Phuc

At the same time, coordinate with the Department of Transport and Vinh City Police to create conditions for cars carrying essential goods to be allowed to circulate in Vinh City, through checkpoints and quarantine stations according to regulations to promptly supply goods to serve production and business activities, resolutely not to break the supply chain of essential goods.

Along with that, coordinate with the Market Management force to strengthen local management, organize propaganda, sign commitments with organizations and individuals not to speculate and hoard goods, unreasonably increasing prices of essential goods in the area...