Vegetable prices in Hanoi increased dramatically after storm Bualoi, people worry about every meal
The price of green vegetables in Hanoi doubled after storm Bualoi. Many types of leafy vegetables are scarce, and traders predict that they will be difficult to find in the next few days.
Vegetable prices doubled overnight
After the storm Bualoi, the price of green vegetables in many markets in Hanoi suddenly “danced”. Leafy vegetables such as water spinach, Chinese cabbage, and Chinese cabbage all increased sharply, with some places selling them for 25,000-30,000 VND/kg.
At Tran Quang Dieu market (Dong Da district), water spinach is being sold for 15,000-20,000 VND/bunch, Malabar spinach for 12,000-15,000 VND/bunch, and squash for up to 30,000 VND/kg. Compared to normal days, this price is almost double.
A trader said: “The prolonged heavy rain has caused many vegetables to spoil, and the supply is limited, so the price of green vegetables has been forced to increase. On the contrary, the price of vegetables such as sweet potatoes and potatoes remains stable.”
People jostle to buy vegetables, traders complain of shortage of goods
At O Cho Dua market (Dong Da), many people lined up from morning to buy food. The prices of pork, beef, and chicken remained stable, but green vegetables skyrocketed. Cat's whiskers ranged from 25,000 to 30,000 VND/kg, Malabar spinach 15,000 VND/bunch, and cauliflower 50,000 VND/kg.
Ms. Phuong, a trader at Dich Vong market (Cau Giay) shared: "It will probably be harder to buy vegetables in the next two or three days because many vegetable fields are deeply flooded. We went to buy goods this morning but couldn't find many suppliers."
Many people said that the price of green vegetables changed too quickly. Ms. Thu Lan (Vinh Hung) wondered: “Yesterday the price was still stable, today it has doubled. Hanoi did not directly suffer from storms, only heavy rain, why is the supply affected so quickly? Are small traders taking advantage of the price increase?”
Ms. Thu Nguyet (68 years old, Vinh Tuy) shared her worries: “Spending 50,000 VND only bought a little water spinach, a few squashes and a bunch of cabbage. Green vegetables are more expensive than meat, and hearing that the price will be even higher in the next few days, I am really worried.”
Prolonged heavy rain, vegetable prices forecast to not cool down
According to the Northern Hydrometeorological Forecasting Center, Hanoi will continue to have moderate to heavy rains, accompanied by thunderstorms in the coming days. The flooding will make green vegetables even more scarce, pushing up prices further.
Vegetable prices are sensitive to weather, so after storms and floods they often skyrocket. If supplies are not replenished in time from neighboring provinces, Hanoi residents may have to pay even higher prices in the coming days.
