People are heartbroken with the increase in vegetable prices after the storm.

Small traders in Hanoi said prices increased because many vegetables were damaged after the storm and transportation was difficult - Photo: GK

According to Tuoi Tre , vegetable prices at many flea markets and traditional markets in Hanoi have increased sharply in recent days.

Ms. Huyen Phuong (Tran Cung street, Cau Giay) said that a few days ago, she went to the W. supermarket near her house but it said it was out of green vegetables, so she had to go to the market to buy a bunch of water spinach for 30,000 VND, a kilo of green squash for 40,000 VND and 20,000 VND for 2 tiny tomatoes.

Supermarkets with cheaper prices

Stopping by a vegetable stall at Ha Dong market, Ms. Phuong was surprised when the vendor quoted a price of 13,000 VND per tael of coriander, and if she bought a whole kilo, the price would drop to 120,000 VND.

Other vegetables such as water spinach or Malabar spinach, although significantly reduced by vendors compared to the previous day, are still around 15,000 - 20,000 VND per bunch, 5,000 - 10,000 VND more expensive than before the storm, depending on the type. "This price is already much lower than a few days ago," said a vendor.

Meanwhile, at large supermarket chains, both supply and prices remain stable. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, director of Co.opmart Hanoi supermarket, said that prices of vegetables and fruits in the system remain stable, and the imported supply has increased 3-5 times.

"Every day we have several trucks of goods coming from Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City. There is no shortage of supply, including leafy vegetables. Before, we only imported from 4-5 suppliers each day, now we import from dozens of suppliers. Not only from Da Lat, vegetables are also transported from Moc Chau and Son La," said Ms. Dung.

For example, each kilo of green squash is only sold at this supermarket for over 20,000 VND, the same as before the storm.

According to a survey by Tuoi Tre , at the Top Market supermarket system, green vegetables are still only about 12,000 - 14,000 VND per bag, no different from before the storm. At some famous safe vegetable supply chains in Hanoi, the price of each bag of vegetables remains the same at about 20,000 - 25,000 VND.

When will normal return?

Ms. Truong Kim Hoa, owner of Hoa Vien farm of more than 60 hectares in Thach That (Hanoi), informed that the rain has stopped, there is a bit of sunshine, the weather is favorable, in just about 15 - 30 days she will be able to supply the market with many types of leafy vegetables.

"We were a little lucky this time because we were on high ground so we weren't flooded much. The main reason was that the storm knocked down the mosquito net house and ruined the vegetables. In low-lying areas like Chuong My, the flooding was so severe that all the vegetables were ruined. That's why the vegetable supply to Hanoi was affected and became scarce," said Ms. Hoa.

Commenting on the sharp increase in vegetable prices at the market, Ms. Hoa said that it is likely to last for a while longer. Because the local supply in Hanoi is scarce. After about 15-30 days, the supply will be restored, combined with goods sent from the South, prices will return to normal.

Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Bac Hong Safe Vegetable Production and Consumption Cooperative, also said that dozens of hectares of vegetables in Dong Anh were damaged, so the unit has been mobilizing from other places such as Sa Pa, Moc Chau, Da Lat to supply.

"We are all linked with other units, if there is a shortage of any product, we will immediately mobilize suppliers. The transportation routes have gradually cleared, we only lack about 20-30% of the supply compared to normal. The past few days were very stressful, but now it is better. We are also preparing to restore production and cultivation in Hanoi," said Mr. Hai.

Green vegetables will not be scarce or lacking.

A leader of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed that there is no shortage of meat products of all kinds. "We have a surplus of products, but there are not many livestock in flood-hit areas.

The country's major livestock farming areas are concentrated in the Central Highlands and the South. The Northern market will be supported by supply sources in major localities in the South," he affirmed.

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Department of Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, admitted that due to storms and floods, the supply of vegetables from the northern provinces was affected, and traffic in some places was affected, so the supply was reduced, thus increasing the price of vegetables.

"However, after the flood, people will replant and usually harvest vegetables after 30 days or more, other vegetables will take a little longer. On the other hand, vegetable sources from other areas not affected by the storm will be quickly transported to the storm-affected areas, because of market demand and convenient transportation at this time," said Mr. Cuong.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dan-xot-ruot-voi-gia-rau-tang-sau-bao-20240913075821131.htm