At the meeting, representatives of the Gia Lai Provincial Department of Industry and Trade said that in the first quarter of 2026, the commodity market in the area was basically stable, the supply was abundant, there was no widespread shortage, and there were no prolonged unreasonable price increases.
However, monitoring the market, construction material (VLXD) prices increased locally in some areas such as Pleiku, Dien Hong, Phu My, Phu Cat, with an increase of 5-20%, of which sand and stone are 2 items that increased sharply.
According to assessments, gasoline and oil prices fluctuated sharply, especially diesel oil increased by more than 113%, pushing construction costs to skyrocket. Operating costs of equipment and machinery increased by about 20-40%; while transportation and production costs of materials such as sand, stone, cement, steel, asphalt... were also increased.
Increased cost pressure has forced some contractors to narrow construction volume, construct sparingly to cut losses and wait for a more stable price level. This directly affects the progress of many projects in the province.
In particular, some production and business units have taken advantage of fluctuations in gasoline and oil prices to push building materials prices up unreasonably, causing difficulties for management, administration and price stabilization, negatively affecting the construction progress of projects.
Detecting signs of profiteering
At the meeting, Mr. Pham Anh Tuan - Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee - said that the conflict in the Middle East has caused fuel prices in the world and domestically to increase, especially diesel prices. To stabilize gasoline and oil prices, the Central Government and the Government have sharply reduced related taxes and fees.
According to Mr. Tuan, the market price level is trending upwards, especially domestic goods and construction materials, directly affecting people's lives as well as investment projects being implemented in the province.
The main reason stems from the impact of conflict in the Middle East region. However, through review, there are signs of taking advantage of the situation for personal gain.
It is necessary to strictly control the price situation, even by crude means. It is necessary to seriously rectify the situation of taking advantage of fluctuations for profit, absolutely not to let the shortage of goods and construction materials serving production occur. In this context, cases that do not share or show signs of profiteering must be handled immediately," Mr. Tuan directed.
The Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee also pointed out the situation that some investors and contractors show signs of slow construction, even stopping construction, affecting the progress of projects and works.
Project Management Boards require contractors to construct immediately, not to delay. At this time, contractors who show signs of caution and slow construction will be fined, transferred to other units to do it and "banned from returning to the province", Mr. Tuan resolutely said.
Do not let goods and materials increase in price
Mr. Tuan requested Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tu Cong Hoang to immediately work with building material suppliers, contractors and project management boards to agree on the price level of building materials for key projects, ordinary construction projects and projects serving people's construction needs, to prevent profiteering.
The Department of Agriculture and Environment should review the material mines to ensure supply, resolutely prevent material shortages, unreasonable price increases, affecting construction costs. If this cannot be controlled, investors will give up everything and not do it," Mr. Tuan warned.
Mr. Tuan assigned Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Huu Que to ensure price stabilization, supply of essential goods to serve people, especially gasoline and oil; strictly handle stores showing signs of unreasonable price increases.
The police and the Market Management Sub-Department must strictly handle cases of violations, market manipulation, smuggling, and trade fraud, especially businesses taking advantage of difficulties for profit," Mr. Tuan directed.
In addition, to save money in using gasoline and oil, Mr. Tuan also requested state agencies and units to thoroughly grasp the spirit of combating loss and waste, especially saving fuel in the process of using public vehicles.
There is no such thing as a department director traveling in 1 car, and then an employee traveling in 1 car. We have to travel together to save money. Localities should limit travel and increase online meetings, except for special cases," Mr. Tuan said.
