Records of Lao Dong reporters at Ha Dong, La Khe, Phung Khoang, Kim Giang, Dong Xa markets (Hanoi) on April 24 showed that the price of green vegetables increased sharply, and the supply was scarce.
Vegetables such as sweet cabbage, water spinach, amaranth... all increased in price by 30 - 50% compared to two weeks ago. Many traders said that the hot weather in early summer makes harvesting difficult, and vegetables are prone to spoilage during transportation, thereby pushing up prices.
"There are few who buy, but many who buy, forcing them to sell at a higher price. We also don't want that, but there are few goods, and they are easily crooked. If prices don't increase, we will lose money," Ms. Hong - a trader at Dong Xa market - explained.
Not only green vegetables, pork and poultry prices have also skyrocketed. At Ngoc Ha market, pork belly has skyrocketed from only 110,000 VND/kg to 135,000 VND/kg.
Large eggs are sold for up to 30,000 VND/dozen, an increase of 5,000 VND in just one week. Some seafood products such as anchovies and perch have also increased in price by about 10,000 - 15,000 VND/kg.
According to traders, the cause of the "price storm" comes from many factors including increased fuel costs, affecting transportation; along with unusually hot weather reducing harvest output; input costs such as feed, fertilizers, electricity and water have also increased.
In addition, the import of some input materials is delayed due to unstable international transportation conditions, which also significantly affects market prices.
In contrast to the shortage of goods at traditional markets, many supermarkets in Hanoi such as GO! Big C, Tops Market, MM Mega Market, WinMart... still ensure a stable food supply.
Vegetables and fruits such as squash, tomatoes, carrots, sweet cabbage, etc. are all listed clearly in price, although the increase is not too strong. For example, bok choy costs 10,900 VND/kg, squash 19,900 VND/kg, tomatoes 35,900 VND/kg...
However, consumers said that although prices at supermarkets have not increased much, they are not cheap, even higher than traditional markets for some items. Therefore, many people choose to "divid" their purchasing points, considering between supermarkets and markets to save costs.
Fruit and vegetables such as squash, tomatoes, carrots, mustard greens... are all listed clearly in price, not too strongly fluctuating such as bok choy priced at 10,900 VND/kg, squash 19,900 VND/kg, tomatoes 35,900 VND/kg...
Mr. Tran Van Hung (Thanh Xuan - Hanoi) shared: "Now we have to calculate each meal. Going to the market is like an accounting, buy some cheap first, buy some too expensive and wait for a discount. Before eating meat every day, now I have to replace it with tofu and eggs to reduce the cost".
Not only adults, students - low-income groups - are also severely affected. Many young people share that they have cut their spending, switched to eating instant noodles, vegetable rice, and taken advantage of promotional items.
"I went to the supermarket 1-2 times before the supermarket, now I only dare to buy vegetables at the market, and the meat is once twice a week. Seeing the price of food tend to increase, we and our friends also try to save and arrange spending properly. We also assign each other to return to the countryside, hard to bring food and drinks from the countryside to reduce spending in Hanoi. will.
Not only in inner-city districts, but also in suburban districts of Hanoi, the increase in food prices is making people worried. Ms. Ngoc Giang - owner of a restaurant in Son Tay - Hanoi - said: After Tet, food prices increased. The most typical example is pork, if at the time of Tet it was about 100,000 VND/kg, now the price is 120,000 VND/kg. This price is for customers who buy in large quantities like her.
It is forecasted that in the coming time, food prices may continue to remain high, especially if the hot weather continues and transportation costs do not decrease.
