Vegetable prices skyrocket after storm, supermarkets struggle with supply

(Dan Tri) - Storms and floods have affected the supply and logistics activities of many growing areas, leading to high prices of essential goods, especially vegetables and fruits.

Vegetables double in price but not fresh

Ms. H. (Binh Thanh, HCMC) said she had just placed an order at Bach Hoa Xanh. Looking at the invoice, she saw that the price of vegetables had increased by about 8,000-9,000 VND compared to before, but the vegetables were not fresh and were yellowed even though they were new. Ms. H. was told by the delivery staff that the reason was the scarce supply when the main supplying provinces were flooded. Bach Hoa Xanh is willing to refund customers if they do not receive the goods.

Vegetable prices increase but they are not fresh is the current common situation.

Similarly, Ms. P.'s family (Phu Dinh ward, HCMC) buys vegetables at the stall in front of the apartment building for 2 people to eat, spending an average of 70,000-80,000 VND per day, double the amount about a month ago.

On November 18, she spent 140,000 VND just to buy mixed raw herbs, carrots, green beans, long beans, okra, and straw mushrooms. Onions, cilantro, and chili peppers cost twice as much as before. Cucumbers, which used to cost 30,000 VND, are now 60,000 VND. A small bell pepper costs 15,000 VND. Each medium-sized tomato costs 7,000-8,000 VND.

Vegetables are expensive but not tasty because many are rotten and hard to keep for long. The lettuce Mrs. P. bought on November 20th can only be used half after being picked.

Vegetable prices… are skyrocketing, supermarket chains are coming up with price stabilization scenarios (Photo: Tri Tuc).

Transportation activities are still limited, new price increases are expected.

At the wholesale market, according to survey information, the price of vegetables and fruits has increased continuously since the first storms until now. It is expected that in the unpredictable natural disaster situation, the price will increase further in the coming periods.

The scarcity of supply and price increases have affected people's lives. According to many opinions, vegetable prices are currently higher than during the Covid-19 period. Lam Dong province is supplying 60-70% of agricultural products to Ho Chi Minh City (estimated by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade). Currently, heavy rains and landslides have put Ho Chi Minh City at risk of supply shortages, especially of vegetables, tubers, and fruits.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the volume of imported agricultural products at the city's three wholesale markets has always been maintained at 6,500-7,500 tons per day, with vegetables alone at 3,500-3,900 tons per day. On the evening of November 19, the volume of imported vegetables and fruits was 3,700 tons, down about 7% compared to the previous days.

Sharing with Dan Tri newspaper reporters, a representative of MM Mega Market (MMVN) said that due to the impact of prolonged heavy rain causing landslides and cutting off many roads in Da Lat and Lam Dong province, the transportation of goods, especially vegetables from the Da Lat Platform of the system, is facing many limitations.

In addition, the Nha Trang - Quy Nhon - Phu Yen traffic routes were also heavily affected by floods and inundation at many key locations, making connection and circulation of goods difficult.

Currently, the freight transport from Platform Da Lat to the Southern region is still maintained normally. For the direction to the Central and Northern regions, more than 10 freight transports including dry, frozen and fresh goods are waiting for the authorities to guide and coordinate traffic when the water recedes.

Supermarkets plan to stabilize prices, despite high input cost pressure

In the above context, many supermarkets have developed response programs in parallel with price stabilization policies for consumers.

To ensure supply, in the North, MMVN said it has maintained a stable supply of goods through its central warehouse in Bac Ninh and its regional supplier network. In the South, there has been no shortage of goods.

Bach Hoa Xanh also affirmed that it has been constantly making efforts to ensure supply, maintain stable prices, and good prices as before to support people to overcome this difficult period, despite the high pressure of input costs. Currently, familiar promotional programs such as discounts, buy 1 get 1 free or up to 50% off at the end of the day are still maintained throughout, helping customers save maximum costs...

Similarly, Saigon Co.op informed that from November 20 to December 3, the system will implement a year-end promotion program to reduce consumer costs and stabilize the market in the context of rising prices. In particular, the vegetable festival will have a 10-20% discount on fresh VietGAP/GlobalGAP/Responsible Green Tick vegetables.

GO! Supermarket also launched the year-end shopping season, in which the group of vegetables including VietGAP hydroponic lettuce was reduced to 10,000 VND/bag, round pumpkin was reduced to 20,000 VND/kg... According to the representative of the unit, the transportation of goods in the Central region is difficult. However, in the Southern region, delivery to the supermarket system is still taking place normally.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/gia-rau-cu-tang-chong-mat-sau-bao-sieu-thi-xoay-xo-nguon-cung-20251121070445887.htm