Da Nang: Vegetable prices soar after floods

rau - Ảnh 1. — After many days of heavy rain and floods, vegetable growing areas in Da Nang City were flooded and damaged, and supply was scarce, leading to escalating vegetable prices - Photo: THANH THUY

In Da Nang City, most retailers import vegetables from local vegetable growing areas. Heavy rains and rising flood waters in recent times have submerged many vegetable gardens in the former Quang Nam province and La Huong vegetable gardens, causing supply to decrease and vegetable prices to increase.

According to records at many markets in Da Nang city, the prices of most vegetables have doubled compared to before.

At Hoa Cuong wholesale market, the prices of water spinach, Malabar spinach, and sweet potato leaves have all skyrocketed. Malabar spinach and amaranth are scarce.

According to Ms. Huynh Thi Hoa (a vegetable seller at Hoa Cuong wholesale market), the price of green vegetables has increased rapidly, many types of prices have doubled or tripled compared to normal days. Previously, at this market, water spinach cost 5,000 VND/bunch, now it is 20,000 VND/bunch; Malabar spinach used to cost 7,000 VND/bunch, now it is 20,000 VND/bunch.

"After the flood, all the vegetables were submerged so they were very expensive. This is a wholesale market but the prices are high. The price of vegetables has increased so it is more difficult to sell," said Ms. Hoa.

rau - Ảnh 2. — Vegetable prices doubled, even tripled after floods - Photo: THANH THUY

At Hoa Khanh market, vegetable prices are also skyrocketing. Ms. Le Thi Tuyet (a merchant at Hoa Khanh market) said that vegetable prices have increased but there is no supply to import due to the scarcity of vegetables.

"Before, a bunch of vegetables cost 10,000 VND, now it's 20,000 - 30,000 VND. Buyers are hesitant, picking them up and then putting them down. There are also few vegetables, so when trucks arrive, vendors fight to get them," said Ms. Tuyet.

Vegetable prices have increased but many vegetables are not up to standard, mixed with yellowed and rotten vegetables. Retailers have to carefully pick them before selling them to customers.

At Hoa An market, Malabar spinach costs 20,000 VND/bunch, water spinach costs 20,000 VND/bunch, mustard greens 25,000 VND/bunch, tomatoes 45,000 VND/kg. Meanwhile, vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and pumpkins have stable prices. Many vegetable stalls are deserted, with few customers coming to buy.

"All vegetables have increased in price. Before, squash was 15,000 VND/kg, now it has increased to 30,000 VND/kg; green onions have increased from 25,000 VND/kg to 40,000 VND/kg, squash has increased from 15,000 VND/kg to 30,000 VND/kg, and there is no spinach to sell," said Ms. Thuong (a merchant at Hoa An market).

rau - Ảnh 3. — Buyers are also cautious when vegetable prices increase - Photo: THANH THUY

Vegetable prices have increased, many small traders do not dare to import much for fear of unsold products. Ms. Thuong said that before, she imported nearly 100 bunches of vegetables of all kinds every day, but now she only dares to import 30-40 bunches because of high prices and fewer buyers.

"Many people who came to buy vegetables heard the price and quickly put them down. The price of imported vegetables is high, and many of them are damaged and crushed. I can't sell them for 5,000 - 10,000 VND like before. Even though the price of vegetables is high, I don't make much profit," said Ms. Thuong.

The high price of vegetables makes buyers consider and calculate to suit their family's economy .

Ms. My Duyen (residing in Hoa Cuong ward) said that vegetables are an indispensable food in her family's meals. After the flood, the price of vegetables increased so much that she had to cut down on vegetables in her family's diet to ensure spending.

"The price of vegetables is as expensive as meat and fish. Before, buying a bunch of sweet potato leaves cost 5,000 VND, now it costs 20,000 VND. It takes tens of thousands of VND for vegetables to have a meal. Before, I bought 2 bunches, now I only dare to buy 1 bunch. The price of vegetables is high, so I gradually switched to eating tubers, which can be preserved longer and the price has not increased much," said Ms. Duyen.

According to records, the prices of herbs such as basil, coriander... have also increased. Running a restaurant, vegetables are a common ingredient in the menu, Ms. Nguyen Ly (living in Hoa Xuan ward) was shocked when the prices of vegetables increased after the flood.

"Basil and basil used to cost only 60,000 VND/kg, now they are nearly 200,000 VND/kg. When I heard the prices from the traders, I was shocked. The prices are high, so I have to buy less and sell less to make a profit," Ms. Ly lamented.