Vegetable prices in Hanoi increase every day after the storm

Many places sell water spinach for 35,000 VND a bunch, and a kilo of squash for 45,000 VND, twice as expensive as before the storm.

Late in the afternoon of September 11, Ms. Thanh Mai (Ha Dong, Hanoi) stopped by a vegetable stall at a local market next to her house to buy green vegetables but was shocked to see that the prices had doubled compared to a week ago. "A kilo of green squash is 45,000 VND, green onions are 80,000 VND, tomatoes are 50,000 VND," the seller told Ms. Mai.

"Compared to yesterday, the price has also increased by 15,000-20,000 VND for each type," the seller said, explaining that the reason was because the wholesaler increased the price, not because they were trying to make more profit. "The rain and floods made transportation more difficult, the supply of goods was limited, this morning, everyone was competing but still could not import the expected amount," she added.

However, this price is still significantly lower than some clean food stores on residential streets. Ms. Phuong (Ha Dong, Hanoi) said that it was raining heavily and she had a small child, so it was not convenient for her to go out, so she called the staff of a nearby store to bring the food up. The order had to be paid, just for vegetables, it was nearly 300,000 VND, including 4 types: tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini and potatoes.

According to records at some traditional markets and food stores in Hanoi, vegetable prices have been increasing sharply in recent days. In particular, tomatoes increased from 35,000 VND to 50,000 VND per kg for regular products and 70,000-80,000 VND for large, sweet fruits. In addition, lettuce and watercress also increased to 50,000-70,000 VND per kg, an increase of 20,000-35,000 VND. Green onions and other spices increased by 50-70%.

Some leafy vegetables are now selling for two or three times more than usual. For example, water spinach is priced at VND35,000 per bunch, more than three times the usual price. Malabar spinach and mustard greens are also selling for more than VND20,000, double the price before the storm.

Leafy vegetables have doubled in price to three times the usual price. Photo: Phuong Dung

"I was shocked when I went to the market. Vegetables cost at least 20,000-30,000 VND per bunch, while fruits and vegetables cost 40,000-50,000 VND per kilogram," Ms. Thu (Hoang Mai, Hanoi) complained. According to her, storms and floods have affected crops and transportation, but the price has doubled or tripled, surprising her.

In some markets, sellers have increased the prices of many types of vegetables by the hour, according to Ms. Hoa, a small trader in Nam Tu Liem. She said that green squash and squash cost 30,000-35,000 VND per kilogram in the morning, but by late afternoon they had increased to 45,000 VND per kilogram. Similarly, tomatoes were sold for 75,000 VND for a 2 kg combo in the morning, but by late afternoon they could only buy 1 kg for 50,000 VND. Green onions cost 50,000 VND per kilogram in the morning, but by late afternoon they were 75,000-80,000 VND.

Vegetables and tubers are sold at a local market in Ha Dong, on the afternoon of September 11. Photo: PD

Prices from Moc Chau vegetable establishments (Son La) also show that green squash is currently priced at 20,000-30,000 VND per kg, green beans 40,000 VND, squash 35,000 VND, mustard greens 32,000 VND, tomatoes 40,000 VND, and Japanese beans 37,000 VND per kg.

Meanwhile, vegetable stores in Da Lat (Lam Dong) have moderate prices, about 20-30% lower. However, according to Ms. Quynh Nhu, a supplier of Da Lat vegetables, this is only a daily price quote. "We don't know what the market price will be tomorrow because the rain and wind are difficult to predict," she said.

At supermarkets, supply and prices remain quite stable. Many vegetables here are priced at only half of what they are at the market. Ms. Thao Vy (Duong Noi, Hanoi) said: "At noon, at the supermarket near my house, the vegetables are fresh and delicious, the price has not increased compared to previous days. A squash weighing more than 2 kg costs 45,000 VND including VAT, equivalent to 20,900 VND per kg". This price is significantly lower than the price of green squash being sold at resident groups and traditional markets near my house, according to Ms. Vy. However, some supermarkets ran out of items early.

According to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, the prices of vegetables, tubers and fruits have increased due to rain and flooding, which have damaged vegetables and made harvesting and transporting difficult. However, authorities have confirmed that the supply of essential goods in the retail system and markets is still basically guaranteed. "To stabilize supply and prices, these items have been proactively transferred to sources in the southern provinces," the management agency said.

In fact, right after the storm, supermarkets increased their imports from the South, Lam Dong, to replace local suppliers affected. According to Mr. Vo Van Tuan, senior manager of sourcing and logistics at MM Mega Market, the number of fruit and vegetable trucks from Lam Dong to the North has tripled compared to before the storm. Previously, there were only 2 trips per week, but now it has increased to 6 trips.

Similarly, Central Retail Vietnam doubled its imports from suppliers in Da Lat, averaging 75-80 tons per trip. Saigon Co.op also increased its purchases of green vegetables (water spinach, Chinese cabbage, squash, cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, etc.) from Dong Nai, Lam Dong and some southwestern provinces.

Vegetables and tubers are loaded onto refrigerated trucks at a transit station in Lam Dong, September 11. Photo: Thi Ha

Share with VnExpress, A representative of Senta Vietnam, a fruit and vegetable supplier to many supermarkets nationwide, said that they have tripled their output for the northern market compared to normal days. Previously, the company only shipped twice a week, but now it has increased to four trips to meet the increased demand.

At the same time, traders in Da Lat and the Central Highlands have also stepped up their agricultural product purchases with many times more quantity. Ms. Thanh Hoa, a trader in Lam Dong and the Southeast, said that they are prioritizing supply to the North. Previously, 70% of goods were brought to wholesale markets in the South and Ho Chi Minh City, 30% to the North, but now this ratio has been adjusted to 45% for the North and 55% for the South. Ms. Hoa affirmed that she is connecting with farmers to purchase at reasonable prices to stabilize prices for consumers.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade recommends that people stay calm, cooperate with management agencies to stockpile enough necessities, and not stockpile more than necessary, prioritizing areas heavily affected by the storm. Authorities said they will focus on overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3 and the floods after the storm, and monitor the situation in localities to promptly regulate and transport goods to serve the people.

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