Following the floods, the price of green vegetables in Nghe An has skyrocketed.
(Baonghean.vn) - Heavy rains in late September caused flooding in many crop areas. After the rain stopped, intense sunlight caused vegetables to wilt, die at the roots, and rot. Meanwhile, at local markets, green vegetables are "skyrocketing in price," with many types scarce, and prices increasing 3-4 times without being available for sale.
Heavy rains have flooded 20 hectares of winter vegetable crops in Thuong Tan Loc commune (Nam Dan district), which were just beginning to grow. The crops are mainly mustard greens and pumpkins grown for their shoots. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh from Thien Tan hamlet, Thuong Tan Loc commune, said: “The mustard greens were already tall and ready for harvesting, and the pumpkin shoots were in full bloom. However, the rising water flooded everything. After the water receded, the soil was muddy and soggy, and coupled with the hot weather, the flooded vegetables have to be uprooted and replanted after the soil dries.”
The vegetable growing areas in Hung Dong, Dong Vinh, Nghi Kim, Nghi Lien, Nghi An (Vinh City); Quynh Minh, Quynh Bang, Quynh Luong, Quynh Van, Quynh Tam (Quynh Luu), Quynh Lien (Hoang Mai town) suffered heavy damage during the recent heavy rains... The vegetable fields were submerged in vast amounts of water, mainly sprouts, various types of cabbage, gourds, spring onions, chayote...
According to statistics, the recent heavy rains submerged thousands of hectares of early winter vegetables throughout the province, with many areas completely wiped out. Currently, many specialized vegetable growing areas are waiting for the land to dry before sowing a new crop.
Vegetable growing areas in the province have been damaged, thus limiting the supply of vegetables to the market. Meanwhile, the supply of vegetables in other provinces and cities is also scarce at this time because it is not the main harvest season, which is why the price of green vegetables in markets has been pushed up.
According to surveys, vegetable prices in local markets have increased by 30-50%, and in some cases, by 2-3 times compared to before the floods. Specifically, water spinach has increased from 5,000 VND to 8,000-10,000 VND per bunch; mustard greens from 15,000 VND/kg to 25,000-27,000 VND/kg; green beans from 25,000 VND/kg to 35,000-37,000 VND/kg; and sweet potato leaves from 10,000-12,000 VND per bunch. Spring onions, in particular, have tripled in price compared to before the floods, with 1 kg costing 80,000-100,000 VND. Prices of root vegetables and fruits fluctuated slightly; accordingly, zucchini, pumpkin, potatoes, cucumbers, and carrots increased by 2,000-3,000 VND/kg.
“Vegetable prices have risen sharply, but it’s also difficult to find suppliers. The biggest price increases are for leafy vegetables like various types of cabbage, sweet potato shoots, and pumpkin shoots, while the prices of root vegetables and fruits remain relatively stable. The increase in import costs has led to a corresponding increase in selling prices. For example, even though the price of green onions has increased 3-5 times compared to normal days, we still can’t get enough to sell; most of the onions are bruised, wilted, and soggy,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh, the owner of a vegetable stall at Quan Lau market.
Despite the sharp increase in vegetable prices, most homemakers have quickly adapted. Accordingly, many have switched to eating root vegetables and fruits; sweet bamboo shoots and bamboo shoots; and reduced their consumption of spices and herbs…
Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, a resident of Hung Dung ward, said: “Every year, after the floods, vegetables become scarce and more expensive. When leafy vegetables are expensive, we switch to eating gourds, pumpkins, bamboo shoots, and sweet corn as alternatives, or choose to eat readily available vegetables like water spinach. In about ten days, when the winter vegetable crops are ready for harvest, the price of vegetables will become cheaper again.”
According to a representative from the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the shortage of vegetables only occurs temporarily due to floods and damage to winter crops. After a short time, the growing areas will recover, and short-term vegetables like cabbage and chrysanthemum greens will be in season, at which point vegetable prices will stabilize again…