Goods supply to the Central region gradually stabilizes, vegetable prices in Ho Chi Minh City increase sharply

On the morning of November 22, as the floodwaters receded in many central provinces, fresh goods began to be replenished in supermarkets. Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, the amount of vegetables arriving at wholesale markets continued to decrease sharply, causing retail prices to escalate and purchasing power to stagnate.

People in the Central region shop at modern supermarkets on the morning of November 22. Photo: Provided by the supermarket

Vegetables are back on the shelves, supermarkets are working through the night to replenish goods.

On the morning of November 22, the atmosphere at many supermarkets in Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa, Da Nang , Hue... became bustling again when the amount of fresh goods was replenished after many days of interruption due to floods. Green vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and essential items were put on the shelves early, helping people feel secure when shopping. At some central points of sale, customers came from early morning to choose newly arrived vegetables, many people said they felt "relieved" when the vegetable supply was more stable.

Fresh food items in supermarkets in the Central region are quite abundant. Photo: Supermarket provided

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Deputy General Director of Saigon Co.op, said that as soon as the water receded on the afternoon of November 21, the system urgently cleaned shelves, sanitized warehouses, and checked for damaged goods to receive new shipments. “Overnight, we dispatched three trucks of vegetables to Co.opmart Nha Trang. Tuy Hoa was still flooded, so we had to divert supplies from neighboring provinces. By this morning, fresh goods were fully stocked, and many customers came,” Mr. Thang said.

Vegetables from the old Hai Duong (Hai Phong) are transported to the Central region.

In parallel, the Central Retail system also accelerated the replenishment of goods from the evening of November 21. As many routes from the South to the Central region were still deeply flooded, the company adjusted its plan, taking goods from the North and the Central Highlands to ensure supply. Notably, 15 tons of vegetables from Hai Duong were urgently transported to GO! Da Nang, GO! Hue and GO! Quang Ngai during the night.

Shipments are continuously being made to supply goods to people in flood-affected areas.

Similarly, the MM Mega Market system mobilizes staff to work at night, check quality and coordinate goods from unaffected areas. The company prioritizes vegetables from Da Lat and the highlands to supplement the Central region centers, and closely monitors the weather to proactively respond.

At Bach Hoa Xanh, the number of customers buying vegetables has increased as many traditional markets and local suppliers are recovering. A representative of the system said that despite the increase in demand, prices remain stable; promotions such as “buy 1 get 1 free” and end-of-day deals continue to be applied to support people.

People remind each other to buy just enough to share with others when needed.

According to retail systems, although supply is not yet normal, businesses are increasing shipments and expanding growing areas to ensure adequate goods and avoid food shortages after the flood. These efforts have helped the fresh food market in the Central region gradually stabilize.

Goods arriving at the market decrease, vegetable prices in Ho Chi Minh City continue to increase

Contrary to the signs of recovery in the Central region, the supply of vegetables in Ho Chi Minh City continues to be in short supply due to the impact of weather in the growing areas in the South and the Central Highlands. In the early morning of November 22, the amount of goods arriving at Thu Duc wholesale market decreased sharply, causing retail prices in traditional markets to increase sharply.

Mr. Nguyen Binh Phuong, Director of Thu Duc Wholesale Market, said that the total amount of goods arriving at the market only reached 2,329 tons, a decrease of 97 tons compared to the previous day; of which vegetables decreased by 47 tons, fruits decreased by 37 tons, flowers decreased by 13 tons. Many items increased in price sharply: zucchini 30,000 VND/kg, Tra Vinh pumpkin 24,000 VND/kg, white green beans 50,000 VND/kg, bitter melon 34,000 VND/kg, green mustard 30,000 VND/kg... Fruits also increased such as watermelon 16,000 VND/kg, Hoa Loc mango up to 70,000 VND/kg.

Vegetables at traditional markets on the morning of November 22 were quite abundant despite reduced supply.

Recorded in Thi Nghe, Tan Dinh, Ba Chieu... retail prices on the morning of November 22 continued to increase by 10,000 - 20,000 VND/kg. Some items are at very high levels such as green onions 100,000 - 110,000 VND/kg, squash blossoms 90,000 VND/kg, lettuce 120,000 VND/kg, green beans 90,000 VND/kg.

Ms. Nguyen Thu Lan, a trader at Tan Dinh market, said that import prices at the main source have increased continuously for the past three days, forcing traders to raise their selling prices. "Customers are complaining about the high prices so they are buying less, but the supply is too small, so they can't sell cheaply. I just hope that in a few days the roads will be clear so the prices will go down," Ms. Lan said.

Regarding price developments, Mr. Ngo Hong Y, Deputy Head of the Trade Management Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, said that prolonged rain and floods in key growing areas are directly affecting the city's supply. The trend of decreasing output may continue in the next few days, especially during the peak period at the end of the year when the demand for vegetables increases sharply.

The skyrocketing prices of some leafy vegetables have caused people to tighten their spending.

Ho Chi Minh City currently depends on three main sources: Lam Dong, the Mekong Delta and the Southeast, of which Lam Dong accounts for 60-70% of leafy vegetables. However, since the beginning of November, heavy rains and traffic disruptions have reduced harvest output, significantly affecting the amount of goods brought to the city.

Faced with the above situation, the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City is coordinating with localities to review the damage, regulate the source of goods and increase additional imports from Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc... to make up for the shortage. The Department also requires the distribution system to expand the purchasing area, avoid dependence on one source; the Market Management force increases inspections, prevents hoarding of goods, and unreasonable price inflation.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thi-truong-tien-te/nguon-hang-hoa-phuc-vu-mien-trung-dan-on-dinh-gia-rau-tai-tp-ho-chi-minh-tang-manh-20251122133654321.htm