People are frowning because vegetable prices are skyrocketing.

Vegetable prices have skyrocketed, becoming two or three times more expensive than usual, leaving many families distraught and forcing them to find ways to manage their budgets.

Many types of green vegetables in Ho Chi Minh City have seen skyrocketing prices - Photo: NHAT XUAN

Observations by Tuoi Tre Online at traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City in recent days show that the prices of most vegetables and fruits have continued to increase after the storm, doubling or even tripling compared to the two weeks before the consecutive storms hit.

Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, a vegetable vendor at Ba Chieu market, said that herbs and spices are the items that have seen the strongest price increase.

Scallions sometimes reached 90,000 VND/kg, compared to around 30,000 VND previously; water spinach reached 70,000 - 90,000 VND/kg, an unprecedented high.

"Every customer complains, but I'm suffering too! The high prices mean people buy less, and a lot of the vegetables spoil. Out of 5 bundles I import, 2 are ruined," Mrs. Thuy said.

She said she was also "restless" because vegetables were so expensive, and only dared to import a moderate amount, monitoring the situation as she sold them.

Meanwhile, Ms. Ý Nhi, a vegetable vendor at the same market, also confirmed that herbs and spices were the group whose prices increased the most. "With the prolonged rain, scallions and dill spoil easily, and with the supply dwindling, prices have to go up," she said.

Ms. Nhi said that in the past, customers who bought a lot would receive a handful of herbs and some coriander as a gift, but now, according to her, "prices have increased too much, so I hesitate to give them extra."

At Tan Dinh market, traders reported that many types of vegetables are experiencing shockingly high price increases. Sweet cabbage, bok choy, and mustard greens have risen from 15,000-20,000 VND/kg to around 40,000 VND/kg, water spinach is at 25,000 VND/kg, and lettuce has increased from 15,000-20,000 VND/kg to over 40,000 VND/kg,...

Many consumers say they are forced to "make do with what they have" as vegetable prices have risen too high.

Many families are coping by asking relatives to send vegetables from their hometowns, and rationing homegrown vegetables in styrofoam containers to weather the price surge.

Many food stalls in Ho Chi Minh City also reported being "stressed" by vegetable prices due to a sharp increase in purchase costs, with some types even becoming unavailable, leading to the need to carefully balance selling prices and quantities to ensure profitability.

The cause is believed to be due to heavy rains and floods in the North damaging vegetable crops, while the Mekong Delta is entering its flood season, causing vegetable gardens to be constantly submerged. The sharp decrease in supply has pushed prices up in Ho Chi Minh City.

"High prices discourage everyone; we sellers don't make much profit. Stable prices make it easier to sell, but with prices rising like this... both sides suffer," a small trader at Ba Chieu market shared with Tuoi Tre Online.

Nhat Xuan

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/meo-mat-vi-gia-rau-tang-phi-ma-20251118172002853.htm