Nghe An: Seafood prices increase during holidays

The seafood selling area at rural markets in Nghe An during the September 2nd holiday is always bustling with customers. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Present at rural markets in Dien Chau, Yen Thanh... shows that the seafood trading area is the most crowded with customers. Accordingly, the pricesseafoodtypes also increased.

At Phu Dien market in Dien Thanh commune - one of the largest traditional markets in Dien Chau district, the seafood trading scene on holidays is much more bustling. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam, a seafood seller, said that on these daysNational Day holiday September 2ndThese days, there are more customers than usual, and seafood prices have also increased by 10% compared to before. In addition to buying to eat on the day, customers also order in large quantities to take away after the holiday.

Ms. Ngoc - a customer in Hanoi who went to the market to buy food for her hometown said that during this long holiday, her family did not go on vacation but went back to the hometown to visit relatives. Every day, she went to the market to buy some fresh seafood to prepare delicious dishes for the whole family to enjoy.

Charcoal-grilled sea fish is popular with customers. Photo: Xuan Hoang

"The seafood in the countryside is freshly caught from the sea, so it's fresh and delicious, and the price is cheaper than in the city, so everyone in the family likes to eat it. Because Phu Dien market is open every day, I only buy enough for the day. I also ordered 5kg of grilled mackerel to bring as a gift for a friend," Ngoc shared.

Go up to the district marketsYen Thanh, such as Hom market (Hop Thanh), Yen Thanh town market... shows that the number of customers coming to the seafood selling area is always crowded from early morning to noon. Mr. Nguyen Van Long, the owner of a seafood stall in Yen Thanh town market, said that during the September 2nd holiday, each market session his seafood sales volume is 20% more than usual, the price of seafood in general increases by 10%, especially mackerel increases by 15%. Customers mainly buy whole mackerel at the price of 170,000 VND/kg, then cut into pieces, grilled on charcoal and carefully packaged for customers.

Ms. Huong, a customer buying fish at Yen Thanh town market, said that the slight increase in seafood prices is acceptable because this is a holiday season with many customers. Therefore, she buys any item she likes, as long as it is fresh and delicious.

Yen Thanh town market on the morning of September 2nd is most crowded in the seafood area. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Surveys at rural markets show that fresh seafood such as squid costs from 180,000 to 220,000 VND/kg, shrimp from 170,000 to 230,000 VND/kg... although it has increased compared to normal days, but consumption is strong. This is because during these long holidays, rural areas become crowded, due to the number of people from cities flocking back to their hometowns to visit relatives, if not to travel.

According to seafood owners, seafood prices increase during the holiday season due to strong consumption, partly due to increased prices from suppliers, and partly due to fewer Dien Chau fishermen going to sea during this time.

During the September 2nd holiday, the number of Dien Chau boats going to and from Lach Van fishing port is much less. Photo: Xuan Hoang

According to Mr. Ngo Ngoc Thuy - HeadLach Van fishing port(Dien Chau), during this September 2nd holiday, the number of ships going to sea has decreased significantly. For example, on this September 2nd, there were only 6 pairs of ships going and returning, the catch was not much, so the price of seafood bought and sold at the fishing port also increased compared to before the holiday.

The characteristic of Dien Chau boats is that they are mostly small-capacity and fish close to shore at night, so the seafood is fresh and not preserved in ice, so the quality is guaranteed. Most of the seafood here is purchased by traders and consumed at nearby rural markets: Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, Quynh Luu, Nghi Loc...

Xuan Hoang