Supply increases, prices of many vegetables and fruits "cool down"

After a period of "shocking" increases at very high levels, in recent days the prices of many types of fruits sold at markets in Can Tho City have decreased significantly. However, in general, the prices of vegetables and fruits are still quite high compared to the first months of this year and the same period of previous years. Many consumers continue to tend to reduce the purchase of vegetables to save money.

Supply increases, prices decrease...

In the past weeks, the prices of many types of vegetables and fruits on the market have increased 2-3 times compared to before, reaching a very high level. When going to the market, many people were "shocked" when the prices of many types of vegetables reached 30,000-70,000 VND/kg, with some items even priced at 80,000-100,000 VND/kg. The reason for the sharp increase in prices of many types of vegetables and fruits is due to a shortage of supply.

Vegetables and fruits are sold at Phong Dien market, Can Tho city.

Recently, continuous storms and rains have occurred, causing damage to many vegetable growing areas, especially in the provinces and cities in the North and Central regions. In addition, in the Mekong Delta, the supply and output of many types of vegetables have decreased because farmers have reduced their planting areas during the flood season; at the same time, unfavorable weather conditions have affected, causing the productivity of many types of vegetables to decrease. The decrease in supply and high demand have created conditions for the prices of many types of vegetables and fruits to "jump" to record highs in many years.

In recent days, vegetables and fruits have been arriving at the markets in greater quantity and variety than before. The increased supply has caused the prices of many of these items to drop significantly, with some dropping by 5,000-10,000 VND/kg, even more than in previous weeks.

However, the prices of many vegetables and fruits are still high because they had increased sharply before. On December 1, the retail prices of water spinach, water mimosa, and many types of cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, squash, winter melon, zucchini and luffa at many markets and business locations in Can Tho City were at 18,000-27,000 VND/kg. Bitter melon, green beans and tomatoes were priced at 30,000-40,000 VND/kg. The prices of leafy vegetables and herbs such as coriander, green onions, herbs, perilla and perilla were at 28,000-50,000 VND/kg; squash flowers and cauliflower were 60,000-70,000 VND/kg. Notably, the prices of yellow chili and chili peppers were very high, from 100,000-120,000 VND/kg...

... Unable to increase purchasing power

Although supply has been improving and prices are on the decline, they are still quite high, causing many consumers to limit their purchases of fruits and vegetables to save money. Many people have adjusted their fruit and vegetable consumption habits: asking prices carefully before buying; only buying enough for use, not buying in reserve.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Chi in Tan An ward, Can Tho city, said: "More than a week ago, I was really shocked when each gourd cost 30,000 VND. Currently, the price of gourds has decreased, but is still around 20,000 VND. Many other types of vegetables and fruits are also relatively expensive. Now, to save money, when I go to the market, I do not buy in bulk like before, but only buy some types of vegetables and fruits that are really necessary at a suitable price and in sufficient quantity for the day."

Ms. Vo Kim Khanh in Phong Dien commune, Can Tho city, also said: "In the past, because I was advised to eat vegetables for good health, I often bought many types. At that time, I did not care about the price of each item. I chose to buy, the seller collected them and calculated them all! No matter how much I spent, I paid that much because at that time the price of vegetables and fruits was still cheap - each purchase was only a few tens of thousands of dong. Many times, I could not finish the vegetables I bought and had to throw them away because they were spoiled... Now, if I keep buying like this, each time I go to the market, the cost of buying vegetables can be up to several hundred thousand dong! Therefore, I only buy the types that are really necessary and consider the price very carefully to save money and not waste."

The downward trend in prices of many types of vegetables and fruits is a good sign for consumers and sellers. Ms. Nguyen Thi Loan, a vegetable and fruit trader at Tan An market, Ninh Kieu ward, Can Tho city, said: "In the past 4-5 days, the prices of many types of vegetables and fruits such as water spinach, green mustard, cabbage, squash, pumpkin, luffa, cucumber... have decreased by at least 3,000-10,000 VND/kg compared to before. I hope that in the future, this price will continue to decrease and return to normal prices as before to facilitate wholesale. In the past weeks, the prices of many types of vegetables and fruits have not only increased, making it difficult to get enough quantity to sell, but also sharply reduced consumption. This has led to a decrease in revenue for traders, while having to spend a larger amount of capital than when the prices were low."

According to Mr. Truong Minh Khanh, owner of Be Gioi vegetable stall in Phong Dien market, Phong Dien commune, the prices of many types of vegetables and fruits at the market have decreased and the consumption of goods at his business location has also improved. Previously, green cabbage, sweet cabbage, and Chinese cabbage were priced at 30,000-32,000 VND/kg, but now they have decreased to 24,000-26,000 VND/kg. Bitter melon, squash and winter melon were priced at 30,000-35,000 VND/kg, but now they are 25,000-27,000 VND/kg... Recently, farmers in many places have increased the cultivation of vegetables; at the same time, after the floods, the transportation of vegetables and fruits from one locality to another has become more convenient, so the prices of many types of vegetables and fruits are forecast to decrease in the coming time.

Currently, not only the supply is from the region, vegetables and fruits sold at markets in Can Tho city and the Mekong Delta provinces are also increased from Lam Dong province and imported sources, especially from China. In Can Tho city, farmers grow vegetables not only to meet local demand, but also to consume in Ho Chi Minh city and many other localities in the country.

Article and photos: KHANH TRUNG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nguon-cung-tang-gia-nhieu-loai-rau-cu-qua-ha-nhiet-a194935.html