Supply disruption, vegetable prices increase sharply

Holding a few sprigs of basil and a handful of dill in her hand, when hearing the seller charge 15,000 VND, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Loan (Hung Dung, Vinh City) had to ask again if there was a mistake. “5 sprigs of basil and a handful of dill for 15,000 VND. Compared to 1 month ago, it must be 5-6 times more expensive,” Ms. Loan said.

According to a survey, for more than a week now, at traditional markets, vegetable prices have begun to increase sharply. Specifically: The price of sweet cabbage increased by 5,000 VND/kg to 25,000-30,000 VND/kg; sweet potato leaves increased from 15,000 to 25,000 VND/kg, squash shoots increased from 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND/kg, Malabar spinach increased by 2,000-3,000 VND/bunch; cabbage 15,000 VND/kg (up 8,000 VND/kg), green beans 30,000 VND/kg... Typically, chrysanthemum greens, previously 1,500 VND/bunch, now increased sharply to 6,000 VND/bunch.

In particular, the price of herbs such as coriander, basil, and shallots has increased 5 times compared to before but is still in short supply. “Basil before the full moon of January was 7,000 VND/pint, sold with raw vegetables and given as a gift to customers, but now, at 20,000-30,000 VND/pint, it is still out of stock.

In suburban and rural markets, vegetables are also in short supply at this time, with few varieties and higher prices than before. Having been in the vegetable business for decades, Ms. Nguyen Phu Hoa, a trader at Vinh wholesale market, clearly understands the supply and demand rules of each time of the year.

Ms. Hoa said: “There are usually 3 periods of shortage in a year: The first period is around March and April when vegetables are temporarily scarce due to the end of the season; the second period is around July when drought causes vegetable shortages; and the last period is around October and November due to the impact of storms and rains.”

At this time, vegetables are scarce due to limited supply, vegetable growing areas in the province have been harvested, farmers are preparing the land, preparing to plant the next crop of vegetables. On the other hand, in recent days, the erratic weather, heavy frost has caused many vegetables to be damaged, especially spices.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, a spice grower in Xuan Mai hamlet (Nam Xuan commune, Nam Dan) said: “Basil has been scarce since the beginning of December. However, for about half a month now, the source has been exhausted, and we have to pick and sell to regular customers to keep customers. The reason is the erratic weather, alternating between sunshine and rain, especially frost, causing the basil plants to wilt.”

In vegetable growing areas such as Nghi Long (Nghi Loc), Hung Dong, Nghi Lien (Vinh City), Nam Anh, Nam Xuan (Nam Dan), the coastal communes of Quynh Luu, Hoang Mai... are also harvesting the last crop of kohlrabi, cabbage, and chrysanthemum greens. At the same time, the land is being prepared for the next crop. "The price of green vegetables in the markets has increased, so the selling price at the field has also increased sharply. But at this time, the harvest season is over, all that remains is to harvest the last crop, prepare the land, and plant the new crop of vegetables," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, a farmer in Nam Anh commune.

Currently, in traditional markets, the prices of tubers and fruits have increased slightly but are still cheap, such as: green squash 12,000 VND/kg, pumpkin 10,000 VND/kg, carrots, potatoes 15,000 VND/kg... so they are chosen by consumers as an alternative.

Vegetable prices at the market have increased sharply while vegetables in supermarkets are quite stable and diverse in variety, so they are quite popular. “Because the supermarket’s supply has been signed in advance and imported from large specialized growing areas across the country, the output is stable and the prices are also stable.

In particular, the supermarket's vegetable stall is full of vegetables, rich and diverse, along with that, at the end of the day the supermarket also has discount programs for green vegetables, so the number of consumers buying vegetables has also increased sharply compared to before. Many traders in the markets also collect goods from the supermarket to retail at the market," said Ms. Nhu Hien, an employee in charge of the vegetable stall at a supermarket on Le Nin Street.

According to the provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection, currently, the total vegetable growing area in the province is nearly 38,000 hectares, with an estimated output of nearly 580,000 tons, ranging from leafy vegetables, fruit vegetables, stem vegetables, tubers, legumes, mushrooms, etc., not only supplying the provincial market but also providing surplus supply for other provinces and cities. However, this is the end of the season, so the supply is limited.