The increase in electricity prices, along with the recent increase in gasoline prices, has caused many production facilities, businesses, and consumers to worry. In addition, the prices of many essential goods such as vegetables and food have also started to increase, creating more pressure on consumers' wallets, forcing many people to consider tightening their spending.
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Electricity costs increase
Ms. Le Thi Bao Trang - owner of Vinh Quang jelly business (Ward 8, Vinh Long City) said that last May she had to pay 17 million VND for electricity, an increase of 4-6 million VND compared to previous months. Due to the nature of production, which requires continuous operation of jelly cooking machines, refrigerators, lights, computers, etc., the facility consumes a high level of electricity.
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| The price of electricity, gasoline, and goods tends to increase, causing consumers to tighten spending. |
“The cost of electricity has increased, and the price of raw materials such as dried coconut has also increased, making it difficult for me to balance my expenses. While consumers are tightening their spending, if I increase the selling price, I will easily lose customers. So now I have to hold on, monitor the situation and save electricity as much as possible. Use high-power equipment only when really needed, especially during peak hours, which must be limited,” Ms. Trang shared.
Not only businesses have headaches because of rising electricity bills and other prices, many households also complain about a significant increase in electricity bills. Ms. Bui Thi Cam Giang (in Ward 8, Vinh Long City) said that in recent months, her electricity bill has increased by about 200,000 VND/month compared to the beginning of the year. Because her family uses many electrical appliances such as electric stoves, air conditioners, washing machines, etc., she should be more economical and turn off the air conditioners when it is almost dawn.
Having 2 air conditioners and other electrical appliances at home, Ms. Le Hong Lan (in Song Phu, Tam Binh) said: “The family’s electricity bill has increased by several hundred thousand VND/month. Not to mention the price of some vegetables, meat and fish has also increased, so the cost of living has increased a lot. We have to calculate and cut other expenses to make up for it.”
Since the beginning of May, the market for essential goods in the province has recorded price adjustments, notably food, necessities, gasoline, etc. have all increased in price. According to some traders, the main reason for this price increase is that the average electricity price has been adjusted up since mid-May, leading to an increase in production and service costs. The average electricity price has been adjusted up by 4.8% since May 10, causing a significant impact on living expenses and production and business. Although this adjustment has been carefully calculated and monitored by authorities, in the context of high demand for electricity, many households and businesses are still under significant financial pressure.
Market prices also increased.
According to the markets in Vinh Long City, pork prices have increased compared to the beginning of the year. Ms. Bui Kim Nhung, a meat trader at Vinh Long market, said: "From the beginning of the year until now, pork prices have increased by more than 20,000 VND/kg, while purchasing power has decreased by nearly half." Currently, rib prices fluctuate between 180,000-200,000 VND/kg, pork belly 150,000 VND/kg, bones 110,000-130,000 VND/kg, thighs 120,000 VND/kg...
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| Rising input material prices and production costs are posing a problem of balancing operations for many businesses. |
According to Ms. Nhung, the price increase is due to the scarcity of pork supply. Thanks to a stable pig farming network, Ms. Nhung has been able to maintain her supply and supply to many wholesale customers, which are restaurants. “The meat sold must be of guaranteed quality to retain customers. We should not import meat of unknown origin because of shortages,” Ms. Nhung said.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang - a vegetable vendor at Dong Binh market (Dong Thuan ward, Binh Minh town) said: Along with the rising costs of electricity and gasoline, the rainy season also makes it difficult to preserve vegetables, the prices of many types of vegetables have increased by about 30% compared to last month. Specifically, the prices of some items such as squash and pumpkin are 12,000 VND/kg; water spinach and water spinach are 15,000 VND/kg; tomatoes are 20,000-25,000 VND/kg; fish mint and lettuce are 25,000 VND/kg; leafy vegetables of all kinds are 35,000 VND/kg; watercress is 60,000 VND/kg; straw mushrooms are 70,000 VND/kg...
Going to the market every day, Ms. Nguyen Hong Nhung (Phuoc Hau commune, Long Ho district) said: "All kinds of meat, fish and many other foods have increased, especially pork, so the market price has also increased by tens of thousands of VND/day, which is more than 1 million VND/month".
Not only fresh food, but also food service prices have been affected. At office lunch shops and takeaway coffee shops in the inner city, prices have increased by VND5,000-10,000/dish in recent times. Owners of some businesses explained that "the price of raw materials has increased, so we are forced to increase the selling price, otherwise we will lose money".
Faced with the pressure of rising prices, many households are forced to change their consumption habits and tighten their spending. Thao Ngan, a couple who are workers at Hoa Phu Industrial Park (Loc Hoa Commune, Long Ho District), said that their monthly salary is divided among the family's expenses. If each item increases a little, not only will the grocery bill increase, but other expenses will also increase, so it is very... frustrating.
| According to the Provincial Statistics Office, in the first 5 months of the year, the total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in the province reached more than 33,500 billion VND, up 25.1% over the same period last year. Specifically, retail sales of goods increased by 23.04%, accommodation and catering services increased by 32.43%, tourism and travel increased by 38.14% and other services increased by 26.22%. At the same time, the increase in house rents, housing maintenance materials, electricity and eating out according to consumer demand was the main reason for the average consumer price index (CPI) in the first 5 months of the year to increase by 0.66 percentage points compared to the previous month, up 3.62% over the same period last year. |
Many people cut down on non-essential expenses, prioritizing food and living expenses, and at the same time, build a specific spending plan and shop selectively. Taking advantage of incentive and promotional programs on digital platforms is also a priority for many consumers to reduce the burden of spending in the context of fluctuating prices. Many consumers expressed their desire for stable prices of goods, especially electricity and gasoline prices, to avoid other types of goods from increasing as well.
Article and photos: TUYET HIEN - THAO TIEN
Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/thi-truong/202506/gia-ca-tang-nguoi-tieu-dung-tinh-toan-chi-tieu-a2d06dd/
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