Both small traders and consumers are shocked by the price of vegetables.

(Dong Nai) - For the past few weeks, the price of green vegetables at many traditional and temporary markets in Dong Nai province has skyrocketed, with some types increasing by at least 10,000 VND/kg, and others increasing 3-5 times compared to before. According to many traders, this situation is due to the impact of storms and floods in the "vegetable-growing capitals," causing a scarcity of supply.

Shocked by the skyrocketing price of vegetables.

According to many small traders in traditional markets throughout the province, vegetable prices began to rise after the North and Central regions were affected by storms and heavy rains. This situation has become even more critical as landslides in Da Lat ( Lam Dong province) have hampered the transportation of vegetables to neighboring provinces and cities, causing supply disruptions for many items.

Vegetable prices are rising daily at traditional markets and temporary retail outlets. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Observations at several traditional retail markets and local markets in the central area of ​​Dong Nai show that vegetable prices are continuously rising sharply, changing daily, with some types doubling or tripling compared to the previous month.

Ms. Phan Thi Lan, a small trader at Hoa An Market (Bien Hoa Ward, Dong Nai Province), said: "All green vegetables and herbs have increased in price. Green onions have increased the most, so selling them is unprofitable, or even results in losses if they spoil. I bought them for 85,000 VND/kg, and I still have to sell them for 85,000 VND/kg. Other common green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, water spinach, and lettuce have also increased 2-3 times compared to the beginning of November."

Specifically, water spinach increased from 10,000 VND to 30,000 VND/kg, mustard greens from 20,000 VND to 45,000 VND/kg, jute mallow at 45-50,000 VND/kg, lettuce from 30,000 VND to 60-70,000 VND/kg, bitter melon also remained at 40-50,000 VND/kg… depending on the day and the vegetable stall.

Both the input and output of green vegetables are affected by prices. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The excessively high price of vegetables has left small traders facing shortages in their "inputs" and a sharp decline in "outputs." Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, a vegetable stall owner at Bien Hoa Market (Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province), shared: "The supply from wholesale markets is insufficient to meet the demand of traders. Some days, I import goods but still don't have enough to meet the demand; many types of green vegetables are unavailable for purchase. The scarcity of vegetables stems from the farmers themselves, which in turn pushes up retail prices."

Mr. Truong The Hung, Head of the Bien Hoa Market Management Board in Dong Nai province, said: "Purchasing power at the market has decreased sharply since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in recent days, unfavorable weather has caused a decrease in vegetable supply, pushing vegetable prices at smaller markets up daily, leading to a further decrease in buying and selling. As a result, consumers are also being more cautious when buying, even though vegetables are an essential item in daily life."

Many traditional markets source their vegetables from wholesale markets such as Tan Bien, Dau Giay, and Thu Duc ( Ho Chi Minh City)... In the current situation of supply shortages, small traders need long-standing connections to be able to import goods to sell. Prices have increased right from the start, with some items rising by at least 10,000 VND/kg, and others doubling or tripling.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Net, a small trader at Hoa An Market (Bien Hoa Ward, Dong Nai Province), expressed: "This price has shocked even small traders, and it's difficult to make much profit because more goods are damaged and have to be thrown away. Therefore, profits have decreased compared to when vegetables were sold at low prices."

Housewives also have to think carefully when shopping at the market.

The unusually high prices have made it difficult for many households to manage their daily expenses, while small traders are extremely worried due to a significant drop in purchasing power. According to Ms. Net, when vegetable prices were low, the daily cost of goods was only 5-7 million VND, but now that figure has doubled or more. Alongside the skyrocketing vegetable prices, purchasing power has decreased significantly as buyers hesitate to purchase vegetables upon hearing the price increases.

For example, leafy greens used to cost only 15-20 thousand VND/kg, and buying a few hundred grams extra wouldn't make much difference. Now, the same quantity costs significantly more. As a result, customers are hesitant to buy as freely as they did when vegetables were cheaper.

Consumers are shocked as vegetable prices increase daily, several times higher than before. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The soaring prices of green vegetables have shocked consumers and housewives alike, prompting them to carefully consider their spending when shopping, only buying what they need in sufficient quantities to avoid waste. "More than a week ago, I bought a small green squash weighing only a few hundred grams for 25,000 dong. When the vendor quoted the price, I couldn't believe it; I thought I'd misheard. But the vendor explained that this is the reality, that vegetable prices have increased and they don't know when it will stop," shared Ms. Tran Thi My from Tan Phong ward, Dong Nai province.

Typically, many vegetable stalls in traditional markets would add onions and cilantro to each bag of vegetables for customers. But now, green onions sometimes cost up to 80-90 thousand dong/kg (previously only about 30 thousand dong/kg), putting traders in a dilemma: "If I don't give them away, I feel guilty, but if I do, I have to absorb the losses."

Ms. Le Thi Kieu Oanh (living in Tran Bien ward, Dong Nai province) has been carefully planning her daily grocery expenses for the past few weeks. According to Ms. Oanh, the average daily cost for three meals a day for her family was around 120,000 VND, but now it has increased to 180,000 VND due to rising prices of many essential items, from vegetables and meat to spices.

Lettuce prices have more than doubled compared to two weeks ago at Hoa An market. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

According to traders, the longer the flooding and storms last, the more rapidly vegetable prices will skyrocket. Prolonged rain makes it difficult for vegetables to grow, and they are easily damaged, waterlogged, and spoiled. This leads to a sharp decrease in supply, pushing up prices. At these prices, both sellers and buyers are facing difficulties, carefully considering every purchase of vegetables and even a sprig of greens.

Many believe this is an unprecedentedly high price and a difficult problem for both sellers and buyers. However, whether expensive or cheap, green vegetables and herbs remain indispensable on the Vietnamese dinner table. Given the current high vegetable prices, many people are having to carefully budget their spending at the market, buying only the necessary, ready-to-eat vegetables to avoid spoilage and waste.

Bich Nhan

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202511/ca-tieu-thuong-nguoi-tieu-dung-deu-soc-vi-gia-rau-80410af/