For nearly a week now, due to the impact of consecutive heavy rains, the supply of green vegetables in the markets has started to become scarce and prices have increased sharply, with some types of vegetables nearly doubling in price.
The author's survey at some wholesale markets and traditional markets in Hanoi, such as Dinh Cong Market, Cau Giay Market, Phung Khoang Market, Hom Market, Dich Vong Market, Nhon Market, etc., shows that the prices of various types of vegetables and tubers have increased by 20-30% compared to 1-2 weeks ago.
Specifically, at Dich Vong Market, amaranth and water spinach are priced at 8,000 VND/bunch, an increase of 2,000 VND/bunch; morning glory has increased by 3,000 VND/bunch to 10,000 VND/bunch; water mimosa has also increased by 1,000 VND/bunch to 7,000 VND/bunch; Chinese cabbage has increased from 5,000 VND to 8,000 VND/bunch; cabbage has increased by 3,000 VND/kg to 15,000 VND/kg; kale has increased by 5,000 VND/kg to 16,000 VND/kg; and bitter melon has increased by 10,000 VND/kg to 16,000 VND/kg. The price of green onions has increased the most to 60,000 VND/kg.
Some types of vegetables like tomatoes have doubled in price, from 20,000 VND/kg to 40,000 VND/kg, while carrots are priced at 25,000 - 30,000 VND/kg; and potatoes at 8,000 VND/piece, compared to before the storm.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, a vegetable vendor at Dich Vong Market, said that vegetable prices have risen sharply due to heavy rain causing flooding, which has led to a decrease in the supply of vegetables. In addition, this is the end of the season for some types of vegetables such as morning glory, water spinach, sweet gourd, which also contributes to the shortage of vegetable supply.
"For example, today at the wholesale market, I could only buy 5-10kg of each type of vegetable, and by around 8 am, the vegetables at the stalls were almost sold out. In the afternoon, I don't know where to get more to sell to customers," Ms. Thanh shared.
In many vegetable-growing areas outside Hanoi, such as Van Noi, Song Phuong, Tay Tuu, the prolonged heavy rain has caused some damage and flooding to the vegetables.
Ms. Tran Thi Mai, in Tay Tuu - Tu Liem commune, who specializes in growing green vegetables for wholesale markets, said that her farm has 6 hectares of green vegetables, but in recent days, due to heavy rain, the vegetables in the garden have been slow to develop and all the newly planted vegetable beds have been destroyed.
