Severe heat, vegetable prices increase sharply
The weather is extremely hot, vegetable production is difficult, therefore, for more than half a month now, green vegetables in the markets have increased sharply in price, many types of vegetables are "out of stock"...
At the people's markets, the price of green vegetables increases every day. Many types of vegetables have increased in price 2-3 times compared to before. Ms. Tran Thi Hoan, a trader at Vinh wholesale market, said: "For more than 2 weeks now, the supply of vegetables from production areas to the market has been in short supply, causing the quantity of goods to no longer be as abundant and rich as before. The price of vegetables is very expensive at this time, so I don't dare to buy much to sell. People who go to the market also spend more sparingly than before, so the vegetables are not selling well. With the heat like this, vegetables that are not sold out during the day have to be thrown away because they are dry and wilted. The price of green vegetables will likely increase further if the heat continues."
According to the survey, leafy vegetables have increased in price the most. Of which, Chinese cabbage is priced at 30,000 VND/kg, up from 5,000 - 7,000 VND/kg; Chinese cabbage is up to 35,000 VND/kg; Chinese cabbage is from 35,000 VND/kg...
The prices of herbs, onions, and coriander have also doubled compared to before. Previously, the prices of herbs ranged from 20,000-30,000 VND/kg, but now they have skyrocketed to 50,000-60,000 VND/kg.
In addition, some types of green vegetables that are in the harvest season are also starting to increase in price, such as Malabar spinach from 7,000 VND/bunch now costs 10,000 VND/bunch, water spinach from 7,000 VND/bunch increased to 10,000 VND/bunch, Malabar spinach from 10,000 VND/bunch increased to 12,000 VND/bunch, squash costs 20,000 VND/kg (increased by 5,000 VND/kg), and squash costs 10,000 VND/kg (increased by 2,000 VND/kg).
Carrots, potatoes and cabbages in particular have nearly doubled in price compared to before. Accordingly, carrots cost 20,000 VND/kg, potatoes 25,000 VND/kg, cabbage costs 25,000-30,000 VND/kg... In particular, lettuce prices have increased 3-4 times compared to the time after Tet.
“The price of green vegetables has increased sharply. Previously, a family of four only spent about 30,000 VND on vegetables for 2 meals, but now the same amount of vegetables costs 50,000 VND. With such hot weather, green vegetables make up a large part of the menu, so even if it is expensive, we have to buy them,” said Ms. Ton Thi Ngoc Linh.
Vegetable prices are increasing, the intense heat makes preservation and transportation more difficult, and small traders are also cautious about importing goods.
“Every market day, I only dare to buy 5 bunches of water spinach, a few bunches of Malabar spinach, and a few bunches of Malabar spinach. As for lettuce, only customers who pre-order it dare to buy it. Selling it at the market, there is no way to preserve it, so when it wilts, it has to be thrown away, which will result in immediate losses. With such hot weather, I mainly import vegetables and fruits: green squash, pumpkin, radish, carrot, potato, green banana, eggplant... because they are easier to preserve,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Dao, a vegetable retailer at Coi market (Vinh city).
In supermarkets, green vegetables are more abundant and diverse due to the large supply imported from the Northern provinces and Lam Dong. However, vegetable prices have been adjusted up slightly compared to a week ago.
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Nga, manager of the vegetable stall, said: “Currently, the shelves are full of green leafy vegetables, tubers, spices, etc. imported daily. For about a week now, the price of vegetables has increased by about 10%, so the selling price has been adjusted to increase. Almost every year at this stage, green vegetables are in short supply and increase in price due to limited supply.”
According to vegetable traders at traditional markets, the reason for the increase in vegetable prices is due to the prolonged hot weather, which has affected vegetable growing areas in the province and neighboring provinces. Many types of vegetables are damaged right in the fields, causing a shortage of supply and increasing prices. This year in particular, the heat has lasted for a long time across the country, many localities have experienced unusual rain and floods, making vegetable production very difficult.
“This season, growing vegetables is very difficult. Watering for 4-5 hours a day, if the sun is too hot, the vegetables will have difficulty growing, become stunted, and their productivity will decrease. As for greenhouses, they are abandoned because the temperature inside the greenhouse is very high, absorbing heat so vegetables cannot be produced,” said Mr. Ho Mau Tuan, Director of Quynh Minh Agricultural and Salt Service Cooperative.
According to statistics, the area of vegetables of all kinds is estimated at 26,170.4 hectares, an increase of 2.08% (+532.5 hectares). Vegetables of all kinds are mainly grown in the plain districts and some lowland mountainous districts with high intensive vegetable growing areas such as: Dien Chau district 1,318 hectares, Quynh Luu 3,411 hectares, Yen Thanh 3,011 hectares, Nam Dan 2,720 hectares.
The estimated output is 402,812.9 tons, enough to supply the people in the province and export to other provinces. However, due to the prolonged dry weather, the supply is interrupted, the temporary shortage has led to an increase in vegetable prices.