Food prices 'race to increase' after floods

Quang An• August 27, 2018 15:59

(Baonghean.vn) - People's consumption demand has increased, while food sources have become scarce after floods, causing prices of these items to increase many times.

Storms and rains have wiped out many vegetable fields in Hung Dong commune, Vinh city and many other places, causing a shortage of goods. Photo: Quang An

According to a survey at markets in Vinh City, vegetable prices are currently rising. Specifically: Water spinach increased from 4,000 to 7,000 VND/bunch, green beans increased from 20,000 VND to 35,000 VND/kg, Malabar spinach from 5,000 VND to 8,000 VND/bunch, herbs fluctuate from 50,000 - 70,000 VND/kg...

Among vegetables, green onions have the highest price increase, reaching 55,000 VND/kg, while on normal days it is only about 20,000 VND/kg. The reason is that onion growing areas such as Quynh Luu, Dien Chau... were heavily flooded after storms, causing a serious decrease in supply.

Meat prices also tend to increase. Mr. Hoang Quoc Hai - farm owner in Na Den village, Tien Phong commune, Que Phong district said: "Currently, the price of live pigs in Que Phong is 52,000 VND/kg, before the flood, the price was from 48,000 - 50,000 VND/kg. Currently, my family is taking care of 1,000 pigs to sell when the market price is good."

The price of live pigs is currently at 53,000 VND/kg, and pork has also increased by 20,000 VND/kg compared to half a month ago. Photo: Quang An

In Vinh City, the current price of live pigs fluctuates around 53,000 - 54,000 VND/kg. As a result, the price of finished pork products has also increased sharply; specifically, lean meat fluctuates from 120,000 - 130,000 VND/kg, pork belly 100,000 VND/kg. Other types of meat such as beef increased slightly from 220,000 to 230,000 VND/kg; chicken costs 130,000 VND/kg, while before the storm and the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the price was only around 100,000 VND/kg.

According to traders at Vinh market, the increase in livestock and poultry prices is due to the fact that the prices of these meats had previously dropped dramatically, so many households were not interested in restocking their herds. In addition, recent floods have also washed away a large number of livestock and poultry in the province.

Freshwater fish prices also increased by 20-30%. Photo: Quang An

Regarding seafood, while the price of sea fish is stable, the price of freshwater fish in the markets is increasing sharply. Specifically: at Vinh Ga market, silver carp is priced at 50,000 - 60,000 VND/kg, snakehead fish is priced at 70,000 - 80,000 VND/kg, grass carp is priced at 50,000/kg... Other freshwater seafood such as field crabs and eels also increased by about 20% compared to normal days.

The reason for the high price of freshwater fish is that the flood has caused fish raised in ponds and cages in the province to overflow; some places have even died, leading to a decrease in supply to the market.

According to the report of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, storm No. 4 and floods have caused severe damage to crops and livestock in the province. Specifically, the whole province has 2,115 hectares of vegetables of all kinds flooded and damaged; the number of livestock and poultry swept away and died is 33,662; 42 barns were flooded and damaged. In addition, 1,457.7 hectares of aquaculture were flooded and 50 fish cages were swept away.