Dong Thap: Vegetables are in short supply, prices are skyrocketing

In recent days, due to the impact of rain and storms, the supply of vegetables in Dong Thap province has become scarce and prices have increased. In the markets, vegetable prices have reached a peak, making consumers "startled".

VEGETABLE PRICES RECORD INCREASE

According to records, the prices of most vegetables in home gardens are at record highs at this time. Despite the high prices, many home gardens have no products to sell.

Prices of many vegetables at the market increased by up to 50%.

Mr. Le Van Viet’s family (Phu Thanh commune) has 2 hectares of land specializing in growing vegetables. This season, his family planted squash, which has begun to yield and is selling for 17,000 VND/kg. Mr. Viet shared: “Compared to many other agricultural products, growing squash gives higher yields.

Up to now, the highest price I have ever sold for squash is 10,000 VND/kg, I never expected the price of squash to be so high at this time. Now the price of all vegetables has increased, but the yield is low, due to the continuous rain.

In Dong Son commune, Mr. Tran Van Man's family has planted 2 hectares of bitter melon, which is being harvested and sold for 27,000 VND/kg. Mr. Man shared: "I have never sold my crops at such a high price as now. Although the price is high, the yield is low due to heavy rain. However, with this price, farmers make a lot of profit."

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang, Director of Hoa Thanh General Agricultural Cooperative (Long Binh commune), the current price of vegetables such as: green mustard, sweet mustard, Chinese cabbage, water spinach, jute, squash, pumpkin, luffa... in the area is on average nearly 20,000 VND/kg, some types are up to 25,000 VND/kg.

Vegetable prices have been rising for about a week now, and are becoming more and more in demand, due to the recent heavy rains that have damaged many vegetable gardens. Compared to previous years, this year, vegetables have suffered the most damage.

“Currently, the import demand of partners is about 10 tons/day, but due to limited supply, the cooperative can only supply about 50%. If the rain stops, it will take 10-15 days for the vegetable supply to stabilize again. Therefore, vegetable prices will continue to be high in the coming days,” Mr. Quang added.

CONSUMER CONSIDERATIONS

With the sharp increase in the price of vegetables in the garden, the selling price at markets in the province has also increased. Many types of vegetables have increased in price 2 to 3 times, making many housewives "startled".

At Thanh Tri market (Dao Thanh ward), the prices of leafy vegetables such as green mustard, Malabar spinach, and amaranth doubled compared to before. Specifically, the prices of mustard greens increased from 15,000 VND/kg to 28,000 - 30,000 VND/kg; Malabar spinach, spinach, and green onions also increased from 25,000 VND to 40,000 VND/kg. Tomatoes, bitter melon, and cucumbers all increased in price from 40% - 60%; green onions 65,000 VND/kg.

Similarly, green beans increased from 30,000 VND/kg to 50,000 VND/kg; long beans increased from 15,000 VND/kg to 40,000 VND/kg. Ms. Hang, a long-time vegetable seller at Thanh Tri market, said: "Previously, a bunch of water spinach cost from 5,000 - 8,000 VND, now it has increased to 13,000 - 15,000 VND but it is still difficult to find goods. Mustard, Malabar spinach, and herbs are even rarer. Whenever the garden is flooded, the supply of goods is cut off immediately."

At My Tho market (My Tho ward), vegetable prices are also at their peak. Fresh vegetables have become "rare goods". Many traders said that the amount of imported goods has decreased by 30% - 40% because vegetable growing areas in Chau Thanh, Cai Lay, Cai Be were flooded, many vegetable fields were severely damaged.

Mr. Vu, a trader at My Tho market, shared: "I buy vegetables at high prices but I don't dare to increase the price much for fear of losing customers."

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, a vegetable vendor at My Tho market, said that due to the prolonged heavy rain, it has become difficult to get goods, goods are in short supply and of poor quality. Vegetable prices have started to increase for about a week now.

Consumers understand the situation so they don’t complain about the prices, but most of them buy less. “These days, sometimes sales are high, sometimes sales are slow. We have to source goods from many sources, only those with low prices dare to buy,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong.

Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Dung (My Tho ward) said: "These days, when I go to the market, I see that the price of vegetables has increased. Now, I have to calculate carefully for a meal of vegetable soup."

At Trung An market (Trung An ward), Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, a small trader, said: "There is no type of vegetable that does not increase in price. In the garden, the water is deep, most of the vegetables are rotten. Goods are scarce, so small traders have to work hard to have goods to sell. When there are goods, we are happy, but the profit is not much. Vegetables are bought at a high price, but we have to reduce the profit a little to make it easier for customers to buy. Many days the goods are damaged or lost, so it is considered a loss.

According to traders, vegetable growing areas in Da Lat and in the surrounding areas have been heavily affected by the weather. Supply from gardeners has decreased sharply, causing prices to increase continuously. Currently, traders are hoping that the weather will stabilize soon so that gardeners can replant, restore production, and contribute to price stabilization. Because if the rain continues, the risk of vegetable shortages will continue, and prices may increase further. It is forecasted that in the near future, vegetable prices will not be able to decrease because many production areas are in the recovery stage after flooding.

T. DAT - L. OANH - S. AN

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/kinh-te/202511/dong-thap-rau-mau-khan-hang-sot-gia-1052100/