Supermarkets increase imports of vegetables and tubers from the South to the North

Supermarkets increased their imports from the South and Lam Dong to replace suppliers in localities affected by storm Yagi.

Typhoon Yagi made landfall in the northern provinces and cities, flooding more than 124,500 hectares of rice, over 28,880 hectares of crops and fruit trees, according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, Thai Nguyen... are the localities that suffered the most damage.

This affects the supply of goods for supermarket chains in the North. Suppliers of fresh products (vegetables, fruits, seafood) for supermarkets in the North of AEON Vietnam are affected by storms and floods. "Heavy rains have crushed and flooded crops. The rough seas have made seafood fishing difficult," said Ms. Tran Thu Quynh, Purchasing Director of the North & Central Region of AEON Vietnam.

Four WinEco farms - which supply 80% of Winmart's vegetables and fruits - were also damaged after the storm. In addition, many localities were deeply flooded and landslides due to the circulation of Typhoon Yagi, which also hindered the transportation of goods from warehouses to supermarkets and stores. According to MM Mega Market, they had difficulty delivering goods to end consumers because they had to use trucks instead of motorbikes. Delivery times were therefore longer than before.

To have enough supply, supermarkets are looking for alternatives. They are transferring and increasing imports from suppliers in the South, Lam Dong to the North.

A representative of Central Retail Vietnam said that since last weekend, they have increased their imports from suppliers in Da Lat. The volume of goods delivered to the chain's supermarkets in the North and Central regions has doubled, averaging 75-80 tons per shipment. In the past two days, there have been four shipments, about 150 tons of vegetables and fruits, delivered from the South to supermarkets in the North, according to a representative of Central Retail Vietnam.

Vegetables and tubers are sold at MM Mega Market Ha Long, September 9. Photo: MM Mega Market

Goods from the South will make up for the shortage caused by damage to farms in the North after the storm, especially popular vegetables such as Malabar spinach, Chinese cabbage, Chinese cabbage, squash, and bitter melon. In the past two days, nearly 100 tons of vegetables have been transported and distributed to Winmart supermarkets in the North every day.

At MM Mega Market, normally, agricultural products from Lam Dong to Hanoi are about 12-15 tons per week, now increased to 3 trips with 40 tons supplied to supermarkets in the capital. "Moc Chau (Son La) is flooded, vegetables distributed to the northern region must be transported from Lam Dong," said a representative of MM Mega Market.

Over the past four days, Saigon Co.op's distribution center has also been operating at full capacity, increasing the number of trips by three times compared to normal days. They have increased purchases of green vegetables (water spinach, Chinese cabbage, squash, cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, etc.) from Dong Nai, Lam Dong and some southwestern provinces.

Hanoi residents buy vegetables at Aeon supermarket, September 10. Photo: Ha My

In addition to changing import sources, retail chains are also working with suppliers to increase the stock of essential goods (rice, instant noodles, frozen foods, milk, etc.) in warehouses and supermarkets to meet increased purchasing power. MM Mega Market said that in the next two weeks, they will stock up on more food to avoid supply disruptions if Hai Duong and Moc Chau continue to be flooded.

Despite significant increases in operating and shipping costs, most major supermarkets said they kept prices stable on fresh food items (meat, fish, vegetables) and essential products such as rice and instant noodles.

According to Mr. Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), essential goods for localities cut off and isolated by floods such as Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, Yen Bai... are still guaranteed.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also requested the Department of Industry and Trade in 35 provinces and cities to prepare and have plans to coordinate the transportation and supply of goods in the context of complicated floods in the North. However, the leader of the Domestic Market Department advised "people not to hoard more than necessary, to prioritize goods and food for areas heavily affected by the storm".

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