In recent days, the agricultural product market in Ho Chi Minh City has recorded a fairly low price level compared to the time before the Lunar New Year. Many familiar fruits such as oranges, dragon fruit, watermelons... have decreased in price, causing small traders and farmers to worry because consumption has not really broken through. The reason is large supply, while market purchasing power has not increased correspondingly.
Surveys at Thu Duc, Binh Dien and Hoc Mon wholesale markets show that the general level of agricultural product prices has not changed much compared to about 3 months ago. However, many fruit items have decreased significantly in price. Among them, the current price of oranges is only about 30,000 VND/kg, while previously it was up to 59,000 VND/kg, down 29,000 VND/kg, equivalent to nearly 49%. Dragon fruit also decreased sharply from 20,000 VND/kg to about 12,000 VND/kg, down 8,000 VND/kg, or about 40%.
At Ba Chieu market (Gia Dinh ward), Ms. Nguyen Kieu Lan - a small trader selling fruit - said that the amount of goods imported in recent days is quite abundant, and the prices of some items have decreased sharply.
Oranges and watermelons are coming in a lot, the price is quite cheap, some types are only about 10,000 VND/kg, but purchasing power is still quite low. Many days selling slowly, so we have to import less to avoid spoilage" - Ms. Lan said.
From a consumer perspective, Ms. Pham Thuy Vy (resident of Dien Hong ward) said: "Previously, oranges were nearly 60,000 VND/kg, so I also considered buying, now it's only about 20,000-30,000 VND/kg, dragon fruit is also cheap, so I often buy it.
Not only at traditional markets, modern retail systems also implement many promotional programs to stimulate consumer demand and support agricultural product consumption. Many large retail systems such as Saigon Co. op, SATRA or MM Mega Market Vietnam are strengthening discount programs for fruits and agricultural products. Goods included in promotions are usually those that are in harvest season or have abundant supply.
GO! and Tops Market supermarket systems are implementing the program "Accompanying the consumption of Gia Lai watermelons". Accordingly, red-flesh watermelons are sold without profit at a price of 7,500 VND/kg at GO! supermarkets in the Central region and 8,500 VND/kg at GO! and Tops Market systems in the South and North.
Co. opmart and Co. opXtra systems are implementing the program "Green Vegetable Festival - Quick Buy - Cheap Deal" bringing many offers for fresh vegetables and tubers in the form of "buy 1 get 1 free", same price of 9,900 VND or discounts of up to 30% for some items.
From a management perspective, functional agencies said that the price level of many essential goods is still well controlled thanks to price stabilization programs.
Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade - said that the prices of goods in the market stabilization program are still maintained stably, about 5-10% lower than the market.
According to Mr. Phuong, the Department of Industry and Trade encourages businesses to proactively source supplies, build appropriate price policies to maintain stable selling prices, share difficulties and accompany consumers.
In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade continues to coordinate with relevant units to support businesses in stabilizing goods sources, ensuring smooth goods circulation, contributing to maintaining the price level in the market.
