Ho Chi Minh City: Supply disrupted due to floods, green onion price almost equal to pork price

Ho Chi Minh City will proactively and flexibly implement solutions to limit shortages and price shocks of vegetables, tubers, fruits, etc., in order to cope with the disruption of traditional supply from the South Central region due to floods.

Vegetable and fruit stalls at Hoa Binh market, An Dong ward (old district 5). Photo: Nguyen Le

Sellers are also "shocked"

The fruit and vegetable market in Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing an unprecedented price increase, with many items reaching double or triple the price compared to before.

Ms. Ngoc Hiep (Binh Hung Hoa ward) who regularly shops at the market near her house was shocked to say that a few weeks ago, she bought a bunch of water spinach for only about 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND, but now the price of a bunch has increased to 40,000 VND. Ms. Yen Vi (An Dong ward) said that the actual price at Hoa Binh market (An Dong ward) is 1kg of green onions costs 100,000 VND, almost equal to 1kg of pork belly.

Many small traders are also confused about prices because in the midst of difficult business, they are facing a situation where import prices are skyrocketing. This greatly affects their business.

Ms. Lan, a vegetable and fruit trader at Ba Chieu market, said that unstable weather has led to a shortage of vegetables and fruits, causing prices to rise abnormally. "Because of storms and floods, farmers cannot grow anything, leading to a situation where supply is reduced and prices increase. We do not want this to happen because we are afraid of losing customers," Ms. Lan confided.

Ms. Dao, the owner of a vegetable and fruit stall at a market in Tay Thanh ward, said that the import price from the wholesale market is increasing sharply. However, small traders like her only dare to sell at close to the original price because the original price is too high. Business is struggling, customers are gradually decreasing, even regular customers come less. "In the past, the price of green onions was only around 20,000-25,000 VND/kg, now it has reached 100,000 VND/kg, okra has also doubled in price, up to 60,000 VND/kg," Ms. Dao said.

Customers buy vegetables at Co.opmart supermarket, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Anh Tuyet

Flexible response

According to the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, in the past few days, the output of vegetables, tubers, and fruits at agricultural wholesale markets in the area has tended to decrease, leading to an increase in prices to consumers, with some items increasing sharply.

Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the current supply of temperate vegetables, tubers, fruits and safe vegetables for Ho Chi Minh City mainly comes from Lam Dong province (accounting for 60-70% of output). Meanwhile, this locality is also affected by floods and traffic difficulties, which affects the output of vegetables, tubers and fruits supplied to the city.

In order to ensure a stable supply of vegetables and fruits, as well as to curb the current price increase, the city's Department of Industry and Trade is coordinating with major suppliers in the area to proactively seek and diversify supply sources, and increase imports from regions and provinces less affected by rain and floods.

If necessary, the city's Department of Industry and Trade will have solutions to transfer and supplement goods from other areas to avoid shortages of goods.

Large, modern distribution system with less price fluctuations compared to traditional markets (AEON Mall Tan Phu). Photo: Anh Tuyet

From now until the end of the year is the time of shopping season, consumption increases, the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City has also proposed 3 groups of solutions to ensure stable supply.

First , proactively seek and coordinate alternative supply sources, work with price stabilization businesses and distribution systems to expand supply sources from localities less affected by natural disasters, and adjust distribution plans to suit the actual situation.

Second , continue to effectively implement the market stabilization program, mobilize businesses to participate in increasing the supply of vegetables, tubers, and fruits. At the same time, mobilize large distribution systems to stabilize selling prices, limit price increases, and increase promotions.

Third , strengthen control of goods circulation, coordinate with localities (where crops are grown) to update the situation of overcoming damage caused by storms and floods, in order to promptly support response measures and clear the supply chain.

Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong added that the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City also directed the market management force to strengthen inspection and price control at wholesale markets, prevent hoarding or unreasonable price increases; distribution systems must fully list prices, not "follow the trend", for community responsibility.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-nguon-cung-dut-doan-vi-mua-lu-gia-hanh-la-gan-bang-gia-thit-lon-724189.html