Price fluctuations after Tet
At traditional markets in Can Tho City, the atmosphere of buying and selling has returned to bustle. While other essential goods remain stable in price, seafood prices have increased due to high demand after Tet.
Trader Nguyen Thi Tu (Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city) said that seafood prices have been increasing since the second day of Tet due to the demand for festivals and parties. However, the supply during Tet is mainly stockpiled beforehand. After the fifth day of Tet, the supply is limited because fishermen have not returned to fishing, leading to strong price fluctuations.
Accordingly, seafood products have increased by 10 - 15% compared to before and during Tet. Giant freshwater prawns cost 250,000 - 300,000 VND/kg; grade 1 whiteleg shrimp from 600,000 VND/kg; live crab from 350,000 - 500,000 VND/kg; squid from 280,000 - 350,000 VND/kg.
At the seafood stall of Ngoc Chau (Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city), the prices of seafood also fluctuated after Tet. From shrimp, crab, squid to snails and clams, all increased from 10,000 - 30,000 VND/kg.
Explaining the reason, Ms. Chau also said that the supply of seafood after Tet is still limited while the high demand causes prices to increase accordingly.
“Prices have increased but purchasing power has not been affected. Many consumers are willing to buy to change their family’s taste after Tet. Shrimp and squid are the two most popular seafoods. To retain regular customers, I try to sell at the most preferential prices possible,” said Ms. Chau.
High price still popular
Changing her taste after Tet, Ms. Tran My Dung (Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City) chose to buy seafood for her family's meals. According to Ms. Dung, if the price of pork starts to decrease slightly, the price of seafood will increase after Tet.
“I haven’t gone to the market in the past few days, I have stocked up on food since the 29th of Tet. If I do, I only buy raw vegetables to ensure freshness. Compared to before and during Tet, pork prices are quite stable, only seafood has increased significantly, but the family’s economy is still basically enough,” Dung shared.
Planning to go to the afternoon market to get a discount, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc (Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city) was quite surprised when many seafood items she wanted to buy were very limited, and some places were even sold out.
“I had to go through 2-3 stalls to find fresh seafood to buy. Even though it was an afternoon market, the prices were higher than usual due to the high demand. Squid was only 250,000 VND/kg before Tet, now it has increased to 280,000 VND/kg. Whiteleg shrimp of 7-8 pieces/kg has increased to 650,000 VND/kg, 40,000 VND higher than before Tet,” said Ms. Ngoc.
Seafood prices are high, but if you know how to balance your spending, Ms. Ngoc believes it will not affect your family's economy: "A short time later, when the Tet atmosphere is completely over and supply is more abundant, prices will soon stabilize again."
