Nghe An people should not hoard goods because of abundant supply.

THE PHENOMENON OF RUSHING TO BUY GOODS IS ONLY LOCAL

In the past two days (March 28 and 29), the situation of people rushing to buy food to stockpile has occurred locally in some localities in the province such as: Dien Chau, Cua Lo, Vinh City... Photo: Thanh Phuc

Although there was no “buying and selling” situation, in fact, on March 28 and 29 in Vinh city, the number of people going to the market to buy essential goods was higher than usual and the amount of goods purchased was also higher than the previous days. However, according to the explanation of many housewives, on the one hand, because it was the weekend, they took advantage of going to the market for other days of the week; on the other hand, due to the complicated developments of the epidemic, following the recommendation to limit going to crowded places, instead of going to the market every day like before, they now buy food for 3-4 days, even the whole week.

Meanwhile, in some other localities, people rushed to buy and stockpile goods, causing public panic. Specifically, on March 28,At Phu Dien wholesale market (Dien Chau), people crowded to buy food regardless of quality and price. The two essential items, fish and meat, were in short supply. By 9am, many stalls were sold out, and purchasing power had increased dozens of times compared to normal days. Ms. Thai, a meat trader at Phu Dien market, said: "People bought food to stock up, so by 9am, several hundred kilos of pork had been sold out."

Not only in Dien Chau, the same situation also happened in Cua Lo. Many people went to the market early in the morning and bought essential foods in quantities 5-7 times higher than usual. Ms. Nguyen Van in Nghi Thuy ward (Cua Lo town) said: "My house is near the market so I subjectively went to buy things at 8am but the market was already empty, vegetables, fish, and meat were sold out earlier than usual".

On March 28, it was only 9am but Phu Dien market (Dien Chau) had sold out of many items due to purchasing power increasing many times compared to normal days. Photo: Mai Giang

According to information from agents and grocery stores in Nghe An, in recent days, the best-selling items are instant noodles, vermicelli, and instant pho, with many people buying 2-3 boxes at a time. The reason is that due to the limitation of eating breakfast at restaurants outside, instant foods are the optimal choice. And at the markets, business and trading activities are still taking place normally, there is no "market closure".

Therefore, it can be said that the rush to buy and hoard goods only occurs locally in a few localities due to people accessing false information, partly due to the mentality of limiting crowded places according to recommendations, not due to a shortage of goods when the epidemic becomes complicated.

ABUNDANT GOODS, SUPPLYING ENOUGH DEMAND

Currently, goods at supermarkets and stores are abundant, meeting consumer demand. Photo: Thanh Phuc

According to a survey of some markets in the city such as Quang Trung, Quan Lau, Hung Dung, Coi market, Ben Thuy market... or central markets in Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong, Do Luong, business activities have been normal in recent days.

Ms. Pham Thi Lien, a fish trader at Quang Trung market (Vinh city) said: "Normally, sales are always better on weekends than usual, so we always prepare more goods to serve customers. Currently, the prices of fish and shrimp are still stable, there is no price increase."

In supermarkets, food stores, and agents, goods from fresh food to dry food, essential items are still abundant and diverse; prices are stable. A representative of a supermarket in Vinh city said: “The quantity of goods in the supermarket is very abundant, we mainly sell goods through online channels, home delivery with stable prices. Customers can choose the quantity according to their needs. Therefore, consumers do not need to worry about hoarding because there is no hoarding or price hikes”.

During the pandemic, farmers in the province still stick to the fields and the sea to produce and exploit, so agricultural products are abundant. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Nghe An is an agricultural production locality, always with an abundant food supply, so people should not worry about the scarcity of essential foods when the epidemic becomes complicated.

“There is no need to worry about food shortages because farmers are sticking to their fields, fields, and seas for production and exploitation. Currently, food sources such as shrimp, fish, vegetables, some fruits, etc. are sufficient for people in the province. In particular, many agricultural products are currently being suspended from export, so the supply is abundant, even surplus. Pork is also not lacking. In addition to the supply of live pigs from farms and livestock companies, the Government has imported thousands of tons of imported meat, ensuring supply and demand balance and price stability. Even poultry prices are currently falling sharply. In addition, relevant functional sectors have had solutions and instructions related to the supply of goods, committing to having enough goods to serve people's needs."

Mr. Nguyen Van Lap - Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Ms. Tran My Ha - Head of Trade Management Department, Department of Industry and Trade said: "People hoarding goods is only a local phenomenon when some people are confused by accessing false information. The Department of Industry and Trade has proactively developed a plan to reserve and supply essential goods in a timely manner to meet people's needs according to each level of the epidemic, especially essential goods such as food, food, drinking water, etc.

At the same time, the Department of Industry and Trade issued an official dispatch directing localities, businesses and distributors to have plans to respond to market developments when people in the province tend to stockpile goods; coordinate with businesses participating in market stabilization and distributors to increase the amount of goods stored in supermarkets and warehouses in the province.

The Prime Minister has just signed Directive No. 15/CT-TTg requiring drastic implementation of the peak period of Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control. Accordingly, the Prime Minister requested the Chairmen of the Provincial People's Committees to direct the application of measures to limit large gatherings from 0:00 on March 28 to the end of April 15. In particular, temporarily suspend the operation of service businesses in the area, except for businesses selling essential goods and services. After that, the People's Committee of Nghe An province sent a document to departments, branches, districts, cities and towns on the temporary suspension of cultural, sports activities and cultural service businesses to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic. Therefore, there is absolutely no "market ban" as rumored.