Keeping the green vegetable market in tune with fluctuations in the natural disaster season

The increase in vegetable prices after each storm has posed a major challenge to market stability when natural disasters occur, especially during the peak shopping season at the end of the year.

Consumers "shake hands" when going to the market

Surveying at large traditional markets in Hanoi such as Thanh Cong, Cau Giay or the temporary market in My Dinh area, the atmosphere of buying and selling became heavier than usual. The sound of bargaining was sparse, replaced by the disappointed head shakes and sighs of housewives.

Sharing with a reporter from Cong Thuong Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh (65 years old, Hoang Mai) said: " Holding 100,000 VND to go to the market makes my hands tremble ", just last week, a bunch of water spinach was only 7,000 - 8,000 VND, now it has jumped to 18,000 VND. All kinds of vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower have increased in price. Ms. Quynh's story is a common concern of consumers these days. Family meals, which used to consider green vegetables as the main dish, balanced nutrition, have now become expensive. "Sweet mustard greens are normally 15,000 VND/kg, now 35,000 VND/kg. It's too expensive so I had to buy less, instead of two plates of vegetables, I only dare to make one plate for a meal, adding some pickles to get through the meal".

Many vegetable items at retail markets have increased in price by 30-50% compared to early November. Photo: Khanh Ly

If buyers are frustrated, traders will have ten headaches. Ms. Tran Thu Ha, a trader who has been selling at Nghia Tan market for 15 years, said that the price of imported vegetables has never been so high.

"We have to look at customers when selling. Prices have increased, people buy less, and there are more unsold goods," Ms. Ha explained. "Early this morning I went to get goods at Minh Khai wholesale market, and the prices have increased sharply. Water spinach was imported for 15,000 VND/bunch, but we sell it for 17,000 - 18,000 VND, which is only a small profit. Many people do not understand and scold us small traders for 'following the flow', but in fact, if we buy high, we have to sell high. We spend more capital, but the goods sell slowly, the vegetables are damaged and lost a lot, and one day we will lose money."

Small traders only dare to import goods in moderation due to stagnant purchasing power. Photo: Khanh Ly

Explaining this situation, the General Price Market Report for October and 10 months of 2025, announced by the General Statistics Office, Ministry of Finance , stated that in the first 10 months of this year, natural disasters damaged 314,400 hectares of rice and 76,700 hectares of crops. Widespread flooding in many localities disrupted food supply and damaged agricultural products, leading to high prices.

Prices of fresh, dried and processed vegetables increased by 4.5% compared to the previous month. Localities directly affected by floods saw vegetable prices increase by 3-50% due to many vegetable areas being flooded. Specifically, tomato prices increased by 14.66%; spinach increased by 7.78%; fruit and root vegetables increased by 4.73%; other fresh vegetables increased by 4.93%; kohlrabi increased by 4.53%; fresh beans increased by 3.91%; cabbage and potatoes both increased by 2.67%; fresh and dried spices of all kinds increased by 2.44%...

Mr. Nguyen Do Ban, Director of Huong Ngai Cooperative (Tay Phuong Commune, Hanoi), said that the cooperative cultivates more than 25 hectares of vegetables, of which 20 hectares were completely destroyed and flooded after the storm, making it impossible to harvest. " The damage is too severe. Previously, our cooperative supplied the market with an average of about 10 tons of various vegetables per day, but now we can only collect 1 ton per day. The supply is seriously disrupted," said Mr. Ban.

The same situation is happening in many other agricultural cooperatives. Supply has decreased by 80-90% while market demand remains unchanged, so it is inevitable that prices will be pushed up.

Determined to stabilize the market at the end of the year

The Government has issued Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP on implementing key tasks in the last months of 2025. In the Resolution, the Government emphasized the requirement: Proactively grasp the situation and have appropriate and effective solutions to stabilize the market, especially essential goods, ensure supply, avoid shortages and sudden price increases. At the same time, promote the implementation of the Campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods", domestic consumption stimulus programs, bring Vietnamese goods to rural areas, mountainous areas, islands... especially on the occasion of New Year and Lunar New Year.

Faced with the urgent situation, especially as the Lunar New Year is approaching, state management agencies have taken drastic actions. The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Official Dispatch No. 7492/CD-BCT dated October 1, 2025 on ensuring the supply of essential goods and stabilizing the market. The Official Dispatch requires the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities affected by natural disasters to closely monitor the market situation, proactively connect and regulate goods from supply sources (including neighboring provinces) to compensate for the shortage of supply, especially items in the price stabilization list during Tet.

The Ministry also directed large distribution units to promote their stabilization role, increase reserves, commit to selling at listed prices, and organize mobile sales points in residential areas and industrial parks.

Supermarket systems strive to stabilize prices with many incentives. Photo: Khanh Ly

According to a survey by a reporter from Cong Thuong Newspaper, the prices of some essential vegetables at the Tops Market system are stable, specifically white cabbage at 20,900 VND/kg, hydroponic lettuce at 12,900 VND/kg, bok choy at 13,900 VND/kg, squash at 36,500 VND/kg, cucumber at 16,900 VND/kg, and tomatoes at 49,000 VND/kg. In the context of disrupted supply and strong price fluctuations after natural disasters, the active participation of large supermarkets plays a dual role in helping to stabilize vegetable prices and expanding purchasing options for people.

Under the direction of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, market management forces are required to strengthen inspection and strictly handle acts of speculation, profiteering, and unreasonable price increases. Distribution enterprises must actively coordinate with functional units and local Departments of Industry and Trade to promptly provide necessities to people, especially in areas isolated by storms and floods, and strictly implement instructions in implementing programs to reserve goods and stabilize the market at the end of the year as well as during the Lunar New Year.

According to the meteorological agency, within the next month, there are forecasts of 1-2 storms/tropical depressions that are likely to affect mainland Vietnam. We need to be more proactive in supply scenarios and regional linkages to avoid price shocks after each natural disaster, especially as the Lunar New Year approaches.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/giu-nhip-thi-truong-rau-xanh-truoc-bien-dong-mua-thien-tai-430860.html