Vegetable prices increase due to flooding in growing areas

Over the past few days, prolonged heavy rains have caused flooding in many communes and wards in the Southeast of Lam Dong province, significantly affecting the food supply at traditional markets. The prices of many green vegetables and fruits have increased sharply compared to normal days.

Recorded on the morning of October 31 at Phu Thuy market, vegetables such as: green mustard, water spinach, Malabar spinach, lettuce, green onions, herbs... all increased sharply in price. For example, green mustard from 15,000 VND/bunch now up to 25,000 - 30,000 VND/bunch; herbs 50,000 - 60,000 VND/kg, basil alone increased by about 70,000 - 80,000 VND/kg... Not only green vegetables but also tubers and fruits such as: tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, gourd... also increased slightly by 20 - 30%.

The high price of vegetables has also slowed down the business of small traders. On the stalls, traders only display small quantities, just enough to sell in the morning. Ms. Tuyet, a long-time vegetable seller, shared: "Previously, water spinach was only about 7,000 - 8,000 VND/bunch, now it is 12,000 - 15,000 VND/bunch but there is still nothing to sell. Early this morning, around 1 o'clock, I stood guard to get vegetables from traders but there were none because Ham Thang, Binh Thuan , and Ham Liem areas were flooded, goods were scarce so the price just kept increasing."

Traditional vegetable growing areas supplying Phu Thuy and Phan Thiet markets such as Ham Thang, Ham Liem, Binh Thuan... are being severely affected by floods. Many short-term vegetable growing areas are deeply submerged in water, with waterlogged roots and completely damaged. The supply from these areas has been almost interrupted, affecting the green vegetable market. According to preliminary statistics from the Lam Dong Provincial Civil Defense Command, as of early November, in Binh Thuan ward, about 10 hectares of crops were flooded; in Ham Thang ward, about 57 hectares of vegetables were flooded and in Ham Liem commune, 50 hectares of vegetables were flooded.

Faced with the "escalation" of green vegetable prices, many households have switched to buying tubers and fruits because the prices fluctuate less and can be preserved longer. However, leafy vegetables are still a difficult dish to replace in daily meals. Therefore, many consumers still accept to buy them even though the price has doubled or even tripled compared to before. Ms. Tuyet Nhung (Phu Thuy ward) said: "The whole family is used to eating green vegetables, so even if the price increases, we still have to buy them. It's just that now I calculate more reasonably. Normally, I buy 2 bunches of vegetables a day, now I only buy 1, and the rest I add tubers and fruits."

According to local records, when the weather stabilizes, farmers in vegetable growing areas will make efforts to overcome and replant to supply goods in the coming time. It is forecasted that the price of green vegetables will gradually cool down when the supply is restored after the flood.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/rau-xanh-tang-gia-vi-vung-trong-ngap-ung-399558.html