Weak purchasing power despite falling commodity prices

Although the prices of many food items such as vegetables, fruits, and pork have decreased compared to the previous period, purchasing power at the markets has not shown any signs of recovery. The paradox of “low prices - lack of buyers” has caused many small traders to fall into a situation of selling at a low level, struggling to find outlets in a sluggish market.

Although the prices of many food items such as vegetables, fruits, and pork have decreased compared to the previous period, purchasing power at the markets has not shown any signs of recovery. The paradox of “low prices - lack of buyers” has caused many small traders to fall into a situation of selling at a low level, struggling to find outlets in a sluggish market.

Goods are abundant, prices are stable but purchasing power is down.

Prices of many foods have decreased.

According to a survey at the market, the retail prices of many types of fruit have become "softer" compared to the same period last year. Cherry plums are currently sold at 45,000 VND/kg, green-skinned grapefruit ranges from 40,000 to 50,000 VND/kg, Thai mangosteen is 50,000 to 60,000 VND/kg, Tien Cuong rambutan is 55,000 to 60,000 VND/kg; Hoa Loc mango is 70,000 VND/kg, apple is 60,000 to 80,000 VND/kg;
Ri 6 durian 90,000 VND/kg, Thai durian 100,000 VND/kg...

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc, a fruit vendor at Vinh Long market (Long Chau ward), although prices have decreased significantly compared to last year, purchasing power is still very slow. “Since the beginning of the year, the number of customers has decreased significantly, purchasing power is only about 30% compared to before. Although it is the season of many types of fruit, prices have also decreased, but buyers are still hesitant. I have to import less goods and sell sparingly,” Ms. Cuc shared.

Similarly, at Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy's pork stall (Tan Hanh ward), the situation is not any better. Ms. Thuy said: "Pork prices have slightly decreased by 5,000-10,000 VND/kg compared to last month. Specifically, butt bones are now 100,000 VND/kg, thigh meat is 120,000 VND/kg, lean meat and neck bones are 130,000 VND/kg, pork belly is 140,000 VND/kg, ribs are 190,000 VND/kg... but purchasing power has decreased by more than 50%".

According to Ms. Thuy, when pork prices were high, customers only bought moderately, but now that prices have dropped, buyers are still hesitant. Furthermore, the emergence of sales points outside the market and on the sidewalks with cheaper meat prices because they are not bound by fees also makes buying and selling at the market even more difficult.

Not only fruits and pork, but also vegetables and fruits with stable prices are also selling slowly. According to some retailers, the prices of vegetables and fruits are stable, such as: squash 15,000 VND/kg; cucumber 15,000 VND/kg; squash 15,000 VND/kg; bitter melon 20,000 VND/kg; watercress 25,000 VND/kg; leafy vegetables 30,000 VND/kg...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ton, a vegetable vendor at Vinh Long market, said: “Recently, there are quite a lot of vegetables, the prices are stable, some types are even cheaper than previous months, such as vegetables. But sales are very slow, there are few people going to the market, I want to import goods but I have to consider every little bit.”

Need stimulus solutions

Although the quantity of goods at the market is quite diverse, from local agricultural products to fruits imported from other provinces and even foreign fruits, what makes many traders worried is the inventory situation due to slow sales.

Ms. Kim Oanh, a fruit seller on Tran Phu Street (Phuoc Hau Ward), shared: “Recently, I have imported about 30-40% less fruit than before, only choosing products that do not spoil easily. The difficulty is that there are not enough products for customers to choose from. If we buy all kinds, if we sell slowly, they will spoil and have to be discarded. It will be a loss both in the short term and in the long term. Everyone in the business wants to import a variety of products, but we have to calculate every little thing to get it.”

Weak purchasing power also poses a difficult problem for market supply. If goods cannot be sold, farmers will have difficulty maintaining production, while small traders will "lose money by holding goods, and the more they import, the more they lose money." Although food prices have decreased, purchasing power has not recovered, showing that consumers are still tightening their spending.

Ms. Thu Thuy (Long Chau ward) - a former bank employee who has just moved to a new job with a lower income, shared: "My family's income is now only half of what it used to be. Now we only buy what is really essential, prioritizing children's education and fixed living expenses. Many other expenses have to be cut."

The weak purchasing power at the market is not only due to the tightening of spending but also due to changes in people's shopping habits. Many people prioritize convenience and prefer to shop at points of sale near their homes, from street vendors, sidewalk stalls to small retail stores, which are both quick and convenient. This is also the reason why spontaneous points of sale have a "place to live" and are difficult to completely resolve.

Mr. Van Quoc Hoang - Director of Co.opmart Vinh Long Supermarket said: "In the context of people tightening spending, purchasing power at the supermarket has also decreased slightly compared to the same period. However, to accompany customers, the supermarket has promoted many incentive and promotion programs with thousands of essential items".

Specifically, until July 30, Co.opmart Vinh Long will launch the program "Buy more, get big deals" applicable to food, beverage, frozen goods, etc. products with special discounts when buying quantities of 2, 4, 6 products of the same type.

Many solutions are needed to stimulate consumption in the coming time.

In order to improve consumer purchasing power, we need more comprehensive solutions beyond short-term promotional programs.

Price stabilization policies; supply-demand connection; support for transportation costs, premises, changing business methods for small traders... will contribute to maintaining the rhythm of operations for markets as well as many other essential goods distribution channels. Because, regardless of how shopping habits change, the ultimate goal is still to ensure that consumers have access to diverse, quality goods at reasonable prices, and that the domestic market develops stably and sustainably.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Tran - Long Ho Market Management Board (Long Ho Commune): In the coming time, we will strengthen the arrangement and rearrangement of business areas, ensuring that goods are displayed neatly and cleanly. At the same time, the management board will also encourage traders outside the market and on the sidewalk to do business inside the market, contributing to ensuring order and traffic safety. In addition, traders are also reminded to maintain a friendly and enthusiastic attitude in order to create a good impression and keep customers coming back to the market.

Article and photos: THAO TIEN

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202507/suc-mua-yeu-du-gia-hang-hoa-giam-3f80726/