Vegetables are scarce and expensive.

According to a survey conducted on September 20th, the prices of green vegetables at some traditional markets in Hanoi have not shown any signs of decreasing due to continued scarcity of supply.

The situation of vegetable scarcity. Photo: Thanh Binh.

Two weeks after Typhoon Yagi ( Typhoon No. 3) passed, food items, especially vegetables, remain a focus of interest for both buyers and sellers.

According to observations at Hop Nhat temporary market (Yen Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi), the price of water spinach remains at 20,000 VND/bunch, and sweet potato leaves at 17,000 VND/bunch. Before the storm, these vegetables only fluctuated around 10,000 VND/bunch.

Ms. Dinh Thi Thuy, a small trader at the temporary Hop Nhat market, said: "Normally, in the morning, the three vegetable shelves would be full, with a variety of vegetables from mustard greens, water spinach, amaranth... but now the amount of vegetables displayed is only the same as in the late afternoon. The wholesale price is already high, so there aren't enough vegetables to sell. Hopefully, it will take about another month for prices and supply to return to normal."

The vegetable shelf only contains basic vegetables, and the quantity is limited. Photo: Thanh Binh

Some small-scale vegetable growers in Hung Yen , who mainly sell their produce at the market, shared: "Everything is expensive, even 'homegrown'. Even with sisters taking turns planting, we can't have enough variety of green vegetables to sell."

Along with that, the price of live pigs has also increased significantly by up to 10,000 VND/kg. Specifically, pork belly has risen from 160,000 VND to 170,000 VND/kg, pork leg ranges from 120,000 VND/kg, and ribs vary from 140,000 to 160,000 VND/kg depending on the type.

Ms. Do Thuy (Cau Giay, Hanoi) had to accept the exorbitant prices of some food items at the market on the morning of September 20th. Ms. Thuy said: "Dill cost 250,000 VND/kg. I was shocked. The seller even said they were selling it at a loss because the vegetables were very scarce, and if they raised the price to make a profit, no one would buy it."

Pork prices have also seen a significant increase. Photo: Thanh Binh

Speaking with Winmart+ staff in apartment buildings in the Cau Giay area, the prices of leafy greens such as cabbage, bok choy, and water spinach still fluctuate around 20,000 - 21,000 VND per bunch. Customers also don't have many choices of greens as most are basic varieties, and the quantities are much smaller than before the storm.

Fresh vegetables on shelves in supermarkets under apartment buildings early in the morning. Photo: Thanh Binh

Faced with this situation, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 92 on focusing on overcoming the consequences of Typhoon No. 3 and the subsequent floods. In it, the Prime Minister requested relevant units to develop plans to ensure sufficient supply of goods, strengthen market control, prevent shortages, unreasonable price increases, and the consumption of counterfeit or substandard goods; and promote domestic consumption. Ministries and agencies have also coordinated and implemented production activities to stabilize the market and ensure supply.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/rau-xanh-khan-hiem-gia-dat-do-3320034.html