Fresh vegetables and fish are selling well.
Observations at traditional markets show that, despite the sweltering weather, buying and selling activities remain quite bustling in the morning and late afternoon. Stalls selling vegetables, meat, and fish are well-stocked. Many items are brought to market daily, thus maintaining their freshness.
Consumers choose to buy green vegetables at Tac Rang market. Photo: KIEU DIEM
Following Ms. Phan Thi Minh Loan, a resident of Son Kien commune, to the commune's market area, one can see that the shopping habits of many people have changed with the dry season. Ms. Loan said that she used to go to the market early in the morning to choose fresh food. Recently, she has added an afternoon trip because it's easier to buy vegetables and fish that have just been brought from the fields and ponds by local people. "Fresh food like vegetables, meat, and fish are still quite fresh. If it's locally sourced, the price is usually about 5,000 - 10,000 VND/kg cheaper than goods brought from elsewhere, giving buyers more choices," Ms. Loan said.
Besides helping consumers buy fresh food at reasonable prices, local sources of supply also contribute to maintaining the rhythm of buying and selling in rural markets during the hot season. Many households utilize vegetables from their gardens, fish from their ponds, and small-scale livestock products to bring to the market, supplementing the supply for local traders and consumers.
At the Soc Son Commercial Center in My Thuan commune, Ms. Thi Si, a small business owner selling fresh food, said that the hot weather makes preserving goods more difficult, especially leafy vegetables, meat, and fresh fish. Therefore, she carefully balances the amount of goods she imports each day, prioritizing sales within the day to minimize long-term inventory.
According to Ms. Si, thanks to supplies sourced from local households, gardens, and farming areas, the amount of food supplied to the market remains relatively stable. “Cabbage and water spinach currently range from 10,000 to 15,000 VND/kg, a slight increase of about 2,000 to 3,000 VND/kg compared to before the hot weather. Freshwater and farmed fish are priced at around 50,000 to 80,000 VND/kg depending on the type; pork remains at 90,000 to 120,000 VND/kg, so people are still buying regularly,” Ms. Si reported.
Ms. Si added that during the hot season, consumers tend to buy only what they need for the day, avoiding stockpiling large quantities of fresh food. Easy-to-prepare vegetables, fresh fish, and lean meat are more popular choices because they are suitable for meals in hot weather. "Customers now usually buy just enough for the day to keep the food fresh, especially fish and raw vegetables, which sell quite quickly in the morning," Ms. Si said.
At Tan Hoi Market in Tan Hoi commune; and at Tac Rang Market, Bac Son Market, and Vinh Bao Market in Rach Gia ward, despite the scorching sun, vegetable stalls still offer a full range of vegetables such as mustard greens, water spinach, okra, and jute mallow… Ms. Tran Ngoc Thanh, a vegetable vendor at Tan Hoi Market, said: “The sun is too strong, the vegetables dry out quickly, so I have to water them frequently to keep them fresh longer. Sometimes the vegetables aren't as vibrant green as when the weather is cooler, but the supply is still consistent. The price of some types is slightly higher, from 3,000 to 5,000 VND/kg.” Currently, some vegetables like mustard greens, okra, and water spinach are selling for around 20,000 VND/kg.
Mr. Tran Xuan Thuy, owner of the Xuan Thuy pork stall at Bac Son market, shared: “Currently, the price of live pigs has increased slightly, but the price of pork at the market remains unchanged. Specifically, pork ribs are priced at 170,000 VND/kg, pork tenderloin at 130,000 VND/kg, and pork belly at 140,000 VND/kg… The number of customers remains stable. Because of the hot weather, I only prepare enough pork to sell out in the morning, so it doesn't affect the quality of the meat.”
Keep food fresh during the hot season.
Besides traditional markets, supermarkets are also a popular shopping channel for many consumers during the hot season. At Co.opmart Kien Giang and Co.opmart Rach Gia, vegetables, meat, and fish are displayed in areas with cooling systems, refrigerators, and freezers, thus preserving their freshness longer and minimizing the direct impact of the weather. Green vegetables and fruits are arranged by product group, and supermarket staff regularly check their quality during display. Meat, fish, seafood, and pre-processed foods are stored at appropriate temperatures, giving consumers more peace of mind when making purchases, especially during hot days.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Quoc Thuan, Deputy Director of Co.opmart Kien Giang, shared: “Consumers limit going out during hot weather, so the supermarket is strengthening its supply of goods, especially fresh food items that can be prepared after 7 PM. Many end-of-day promotions cater to customers' shopping needs. During the hot season, the supermarket focuses on quality control of fresh produce, enhances preservation using cold storage systems, and replenishes goods according to actual demand. The supply of vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, and ready-to-eat foods is maintained at a stable level, meeting the shopping needs of the people.”
Maintaining a local supply of goods from gardens, ponds, and small-scale livestock farms not only helps rural markets maintain stable purchasing power but also creates additional outlets for local agricultural products. Meanwhile, the supermarket channel contributes to supplementing safe and convenient shopping options, especially for those who need to buy food that has been inspected and preserved under better conditions.
KIEU DIEM - TUONG VI
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mua-nang-suc-mua-thuc-pham-tuoi-tang-a485259.html
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