Storms cause shortage of vegetables, Ho Chi Minh City increases reserves, expands supply

Prolonged rain and storms in many provinces and cities are directly affecting the supply of agricultural products and food to Ho Chi Minh City, causing prices of many items, especially vegetables, to increase at traditional markets. In response to this situation, the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City has implemented many groups of solutions to ensure a continuous and stable supply of vegetables and fruits for the last months of the year.

Many vegetable growing areas in Tan Hai ward, Ho Chi Minh City, have had to temporarily stop growing vegetables due to heavy rain, so people have not been able to plant seeds. Photo: Hoang Nhi/VNA

Mr. Ngo Hong Y, Deputy Head of Trade Management Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade informed: The demand for vegetables and fruits in Ho Chi Minh City usually increases sharply from November every year and continues to maintain at a high level until after Tet. Currently, the main supply for the city market still depends on three major regions: Da Lat ( Lam Dong province), the Mekong Delta and the Southeast.

Lam Dong is the main source of temperate vegetables, accounting for about 60 - 70% of the city's total vegetables and fruits. The second source of supply comes from the Mekong Delta provinces, which have advantages in short-term crops and tropical vegetables such as squash, pumpkin, cucumber, coriander and daily fruits. The proportion of supply from this region fluctuates at 20 - 30%. The remaining 10 - 20% is supplied from the Southeast provinces such as Dong Nai , Tay Ninh and imported goods through distribution enterprises.

Regarding the actual quantity of goods imported into Ho Chi Minh City, data monitored at three major wholesale markets shows that the amount of agricultural products imported each day is always maintained at 6,500 - 7,500 tons. Particularly, the group of vegetables and fruits reaches from 3,500 - 3,900 tons/day. On the evening of November 19, the amount of vegetables and fruits arriving at the market reached about 3,700 tons out of a total of 6,500 tons of imported agricultural products, a slight decrease of about 7% compared to the previous day. In addition to the quantity of goods going through wholesale markets, a large part of agricultural products are brought into the city through supermarket systems, convenience store chains, market stabilization enterprises, collective kitchens, restaurants and hotels. This group accounts for 40 - 60% of the city's daily agricultural product consumption.

According to Mr. Ngo Hong Y, some vegetable varieties from Lam Dong and the Mekong Delta have shown a downward trend due to the impact of adverse weather. In Lam Dong, prolonged rains have caused widespread flooding, reducing the productivity and output of many temperate vegetables. In particular, consecutive landslides at Prenn Pass and most recently Mimosa Pass have temporarily disrupted traffic routes, making it difficult to transport goods to Ho Chi Minh City. This has slowed down the supply progress of businesses and may cause local shortages of some items in the short term.

Meanwhile, in the Mekong Delta, many localities have also recorded flooding due to unseasonal rains, causing damage to tropical vegetables such as squash, pumpkin, cucumber, cabbage and some fruits. These are all large consumption groups in Ho Chi Minh City, so the lack of output at the source can put pressure on the city's market.

Faced with the risk of supply chain disruptions, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has proactively implemented three groups of solutions to stabilize the market and ensure enough goods to serve people's needs. Accordingly, the Department of Industry and Trade has proactively sought alternative sources of supply and re-distributed output; worked with distribution systems and businesses to stabilize the market to expand the source of goods from areas less affected by storms. At the same time, businesses are encouraged to increase imports of additional fruit and vegetable products from reputable sources with longer preservation times to reduce supply pressure. The adjustment of import plans will be flexibly implemented by distribution units according to actual developments.

The city also focuses on effectively implementing the market stabilization program, mobilizing businesses to participate in the program to increase vegetable and fruit reserves, higher than normal levels to promptly compensate for times when domestic supply is interrupted. The Department also mobilizes large distribution systems, especially supermarkets, to maintain stable selling prices, not to increase prices during the current sensitive period. Some units such as Saigon Co.op also implement promotional programs and vegetable and fruit festivals to support consumers and stimulate purchasing power.

To strengthen control of goods circulation and market activities, the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City coordinates with localities to grasp the situation of overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, and at the same time works with departments in the city to support businesses in removing transportation problems. The Market Management Department is directed to strengthen inspection and price monitoring at wholesale markets and business locations, to prevent hoarding, price inflation, and protect consumer rights.

Mr. Ngo Hong Y affirmed that the agricultural and food market in Ho Chi Minh City is still well controlled, and the current supply is still sufficient to meet demand. However, complicated weather conditions and some temporary congestion in production areas may cause local impacts. Therefore, the Department of Industry and Trade will continue to closely monitor, update information regularly and coordinate goods sources in a timely manner, ensuring market stability from now until Tet.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/mua-bao-gay-thieu-hut-rau-cu-tp-ho-chi-minh-tang-du-tru-mo-rong-nguon-cung-20251120180515228.htm