Vegetable prices in Nghe An increased sharply after floods

Even though she went to Coi market early in the morning, Ms. Hoang Thi Huynh (My Trung hamlet, Hung Loc, Vinh city) still could not choose a suitable bunch of vegetables. “It was only 8am but the vegetables sold by retailers by bunch were sold out. At the wholesale stalls in the market, there were only water spinach and amaranth left. Meanwhile, the prices of vegetables and fruits such as squash, pumpkin, carrots, etc. increased sharply.”

Not only Coi market but also other local markets in the city such as Quan Lau market, Quyet market, Ben Thuy market... green vegetables are also quite scarce, many vegetables have "broken" supply. According to a survey of some local markets on the morning of September 12, the prices of many types of vegetables have increased sharply.

Specifically, leafy vegetables such as: water spinach, amaranth, Malabar spinach, Malabar spinach, and various types of cabbage increased by 2,000 - 5,000 VND/bunch (depending on the type); squash increased from 15,000 to 28,000 VND/kg; pumpkin increased from 13,000 to 25,000 VND/kg. Potatoes alone increased in price by nearly 3 times, up to 40,000 VND/kg, the price is so high that many retailers do not dare to import the goods.

According to traders at the traditional market, vegetable prices had been increasing since a few days before the storm. In the past two days, vegetable prices have increased by another 20-30%. Many types of vegetables have increased dramatically, 2-3 times higher than normal days.

Ms. Chu Thi Ly, a vegetable trader at Vinh wholesale market, said: “The price of vegetables has increased, and importing and transporting goods has become more difficult due to the impact of storms and rains. It is expected that the price of vegetables will not decrease in the next few days because heavy rain and strong winds have damaged crops in many gardens. Some types of vegetables are even out of stock due to lack of supply.”

Currently, in the northern provinces, the main supply of vegetables such as squash, pumpkin, chayote... has been "wiped out" in many areas due to floods; some places are experiencing landslides and flooding so there is no goods to import; some Chinese vegetables such as cabbage, Chinese cabbage, carrots... are also affected by floods and rains, and are cut off due to transportation, so the supply on the market is scarcer than before.

In addition, in the growing areas in the province, which are currently entering the winter crop production, many newly planted areas have not yet been harvested, many places are still preparing the land for production, and many vegetable areas have been damaged by the rain and wind in recent days. Therefore, the supply to the market is limited compared to before.

"Currently, in the coastal areas of Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai, green vegetables are mainly cabbage and green onions. The area is not much because the previous harvest was "to escape the storm". Most people are preparing the land and planting new crops," said Mr. Ho Minh Hap, a vegetable grower in Quynh Minh commune (Quynh Luu).

Meanwhile, green vegetables in supermarkets are more diverse, and prices are more stable. At a large supermarket on Quang Trung Street, vegetables such as mustard greens and water spinach cost from 10,000 to 12,000 VND/bunch, cabbage from 19,000 to 22,000 VND/kg; squash 30,000 VND/kg.

“Green vegetables are in short supply at this time, and prices have increased compared to before because growing areas have been affected by floods. However, thanks to proactive supply sources and good preservation and regulation, green vegetables in our supermarket system still fully meet consumer demand. Currently, the prices of leafy green vegetables have increased slightly,” said Ms. Phung Thi Thuy, a vegetable counter employee.

According to forecasts, in the coming days, Nghe An will have heavy rain and face the risk of flooding, so the supply of green vegetables will be even more limited. Many people are afraid to go to the market in the rain, worried that vegetables will be expensive and scarce, so they buy more than usual, enough to eat for a few days. However, green vegetables are very difficult to preserve, if you buy too much, they will get muddy, the leaves will rot, and it will be a waste to throw them away.

Some types such as fresh bamboo shoots, boiled bamboo shoots, dried bamboo shoots, mushrooms, etc. are also chosen by people to reduce pressure on the supply of green vegetables.