After floods, green vegetables in Nghe An 'increase in price'

The impact of heavy rain caused 20 hectares of winter vegetables in Thuong Tan Loc commune (Nam Dan) to be flooded. Mainly, there were mustard greens and pumpkin tops. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh in Thien Tan hamlet, Thuong Tan Loc commune said: “The mustard greens have grown high and are being harvested, while the pumpkin tops are in the peak harvest season. However, the water level rose so high that they were all flooded. After the water receded, the soil was muddy, plus the hot weather, so the flooded vegetable area had to be uprooted, waiting for the soil to dry before sowing another crop.”

Suffering heavy damage in the recent heavy rains were vegetable 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)... Vegetable fields were submerged in vast water, mainly sprouts, various types of mustard greens, squash, green onions, chayote...

According to statistics, during the recent heavy rains, thousands of hectares of early winter vegetables were submerged in water, many areas were completely wiped out. Currently, many specialized vegetable growing areas are waiting for the land to dry up to sow and plant a new crop.

Vegetable growing areas in the province were damaged, thus the supply of vegetables to the market was also limited. Meanwhile, the supply of vegetables in other provinces and cities at this time was also scarce because it was not the main harvest season, which was the reason why the price of green vegetables in the markets was pushed up.

According to a survey, currently, in traditional markets, vegetable prices have increased by 30-50%, some types even increased 2-3 times compared to before the flood. Specifically, water spinach increased from 5,000 VND to 8,000-10,000 VND/bunch; mustard greens increased from 15,000 VND/kg to 25,000-27,000 VND/kg; green beans increased from 25,000 VND/kg to 35,000-37,000 VND/kg; Malabar spinach increased from 10,000-12,000 VND/bunch. As for green onions, the price has tripled compared to before the flood, accordingly, 1 kg of green onions costs 80,000-100,000 VND/kg. Prices of tubers and fruits fluctuated slightly, accordingly, squash, pumpkin, potatoes, cucumbers, and carrots increased by 2,000-3,000 VND/kg.

“Vegetable prices have increased, but it is not easy to find sources to import goods. The biggest increase among vegetables is in leafy vegetables such as various types of mustard greens, potato shoots, and squash shoots, while the prices of tubers and fruits are quite stable. The increase in import prices has led to an increase in selling prices. For example, green onions, even though the price has increased 3-5 times compared to normal days, are still not available to sell, most of them are crushed and wilted,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh, owner of a vegetable stall at Quan Lau market.

Vegetable prices have skyrocketed, but for the most part, housewives have quickly adapted. Accordingly, many people have switched to eating tubers, fruits; sweet bamboo shoots, bamboo shoots; and reduced the use of spices and vegetables…

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh - a resident of Hung Dung ward said: "Every year, after the flood, vegetables are scarce and more expensive than before. When leafy vegetables are expensive, I switch to eating squash, pumpkin, bamboo shoots, sweet corn instead or choose to eat vegetables that are available such as water spinach. In just about ten days, when the winter vegetable crops will grow and be harvested, the price of vegetables will be cheap again."

According to the representative of the provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection, the shortage of vegetable supply only occurs at a certain time due to floods and damaged winter vegetables. In just a short time, the growing areas will be restored, short-term vegetables such as mustard greens and chrysanthemum greens will be harvested, at that time, vegetable prices will stabilize again...