Vegetable prices soar after the storm, other food prices remain stable.

The impact of Typhoon Bualoi has submerged many vegetable fields in Nghe An province, destroying and wilting crops. The riverside areas along the Lam River, once abundant with vegetables, fruits, pumpkins, eggplants, and gourds, are now covered in mud and waterlogged. Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, a farmer growing eggplants and pumpkins in Nhan Hoa commune, said: “After Typhoon No. 5, the crops hadn’t even recovered when Typhoon No. 10 arrived. The flooding happened twice, killing all the plants. Now, even cooking vegetables for the family is difficult, let alone selling them in the market.”

In vegetable-growing areas of the province such as Quynh Anh commune, Tan Mai ward, and Quynh Mai ward, deep flooding has caused scallions and leafy vegetables to rot; bitter gourd and chayote vines have collapsed, and eggplants and bell peppers ready for harvest have also withered. Mr. Tran Van Canh, a farmer in Quynh Mai ward, said: “My family’s 10 sao (approximately 10,000 square meters) crop of scallions and radishes was only a few days away from harvest when the heavy rain ruined everything. Currently, the price of scallions has increased to 20,000-30,000 VND/kg, and radishes to 15,000-20,000 VND/kg, but there are none to sell.”

In the Nam Dan area, where water spinach is grown, although not flooded, the strong storm still caused leaves to fall off, branches to break, and stems to be crushed. Each bunch of water spinach now costs two or three times more than before the storm, yet it remains scarce. The sharp decrease in supply has caused the price of green vegetables at local markets throughout the province to skyrocket over the past few days.

According to surveys at major markets such as Quan Lau Market and Ga Market, water spinach, sweet potato leaves, and jute mallow have doubled in price, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per bunch. Cabbage and Chinese cabbage have reached 20,000 to 30,000 VND per kilogram, while leafy vegetables like lettuce and watercress have surged to 50,000 to 70,000 VND per kilogram. Spices and herbs, especially scallions, have increased 2-3 times compared to normal days. The scarcity of vegetables has also led to price increases for root vegetables and fruits: green squash 28,000-30,000 VND/kg, tomatoes 40,000-45,000 VND/kg, pumpkin 27,000 VND/kg, green beans 40,000-50,000 VND/kg, and fragrant gourd 55,000 VND/kg.

Ms. Phan Thi Minh, a small trader at Quan Lau market, said: “Before the storm, water spinach cost only 6,000 - 7,000 VND per bunch, but now it has doubled, even tripled. Many vegetables are damaged, making it difficult to import goods, so we don't dare to take large quantities.”

Rising vegetable prices have forced many families to tighten their spending. Ms. Tran Thi Hieu Hanh from Vinh Loc ward shared: "Previously, meals always included at least two vegetable dishes, but now I only dare to cook one soup. Vegetables are so expensive, so I've switched to eating root vegetables, dried bamboo shoots, and seaweed to save money."

Faced with the scarcity of vegetables in local markets, many consumers are switching to supermarkets and safe food chain stores. Thanks to supplies from concentrated production areas and partnerships with suppliers outside the province, vegetable prices here have only fluctuated slightly, while maintaining a wide variety of options. Large distribution systems are also proactively increasing imports from the South to compensate for the shortage, contributing to stabilizing the local market.

According to agricultural experts, the current surge in vegetable prices is only temporary, directly influenced by the weather. When warm weather returns, the floodwaters recede, farmers resume production and plant new crops, and the supply will gradually stabilize, bringing prices down to a balanced level. However, this price increase once again highlights the vulnerability of agricultural production, especially vegetables, to increasingly unpredictable climate changes.

While vegetable prices have surged, other food items have remained stable, or even slightly decreased. At local markets and supermarkets throughout the province, pork prices are commonly between 110,000 and 150,000 VND/kg, a decrease of 5,000 to 10,000 VND compared to before the storm. Freshwater fish prices have decreased by 3,000 to 5,000 VND/kg; seafood such as shrimp, sea fish, and squid remain at their previous prices. As a result, people still have many alternative food choices, ensuring balanced meals.

Representatives from the Department of Industry and Trade stated that the department is coordinating with distributors, supermarkets, and retail systems to increase the supply of fresh vegetables from other provinces and cities to the area, promptly regulating the market and stabilizing prices. In addition, the agricultural sector has conducted surveys and compiled statistics on the extent of damage and encouraged localities to urgently restore flooded vegetable growing areas, utilizing higher ground and greenhouse systems to grow short-term vegetables, thus stabilizing the supply as soon as possible.

From the consumer's perspective, during times of vegetable scarcity and high prices, they can flexibly choose alternative dried foods such as dried bamboo shoots and seaweed to ensure nutrition and balance their spending.