Heavy rains and flooding in Hanoi and surrounding areas have caused a shortage of vegetables, leading to a significant price hike in local markets. According to a survey by VTC News, green vegetables were scarce and expensive at many local markets on the morning of September 10th. One of the most scarce and expensive types of vegetables currently is fresh herbs.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Mo, a trader at Nam Du Market in Hoang Mai District, shared that for the past two days, she couldn’t buy any herbs to sell as the wholesale market was out of stock and the prices were too high.
“Those who buy vegetables directly from farmers have to pay 23,000 VND per bundle of basil (including 4 small bundles). If I buy from them, I have to sell it to customers at 25,000 – 27,000 VND per bundle. It’s challenging to sell at such a high price, and with the continuous rain, the vegetables will soon wither and rot. Customers are used to buying basil at around 10,000 VND per bundle,” said Ms. Mo.
Many traders cannot buy green vegetables to sell due to the high prices. (Photo: Ngoc Vy)
Not only fresh herbs but leafy vegetables have also seen a price increase of two to three times the usual rate. For example, water spinach, which used to cost around 10,000 VND per bundle, now sells for up to 30,000 VND per bundle in some places. Malabar spinach has increased from 9,000 VND to 17,000 VND per bundle, and sweet cabbage has gone up from 10,000 VND to 20,000 VND per bundle. Chinese cabbage has increased from 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND per kg, and water dropwort has skyrocketed from 10,000 VND to 30,000 VND per bundle…
The prices of root vegetables and fruits have also increased, but at a slower rate, about 10 – 30% higher than usual. Specifically, a green squash used to cost 15,000 VND, now it’s 25,000 VND. A gourd used to cost 15,000 VND, and now it’s 20,000 VND. Su su, a type of edible vine, has increased from 15,000 VND per kg to 20,000 VND per kg…
Many types of vegetables have tripled in price. (Photo: Linh Duong)
Traders explained that the price surge was due to the flooding in the vegetable gardens outside Hanoi and neighboring areas, which caused significant crop damage and reduced supply. “Today there are still some vegetables left to sell, but if the rain and floods continue for another three days, we won’t have anything left to sell,” shared a trader.
At Linh Nam Market in Hoang Mai District, vegetable prices have also soared. Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, a trader there, shared that she usually spends 4 million VND on each vegetable purchase at the southern wholesale market. However, in the last three days, with the same amount of goods, she had to spend nearly 5 million VND. Some vegetables, like mustard greens and malabar spinach, were even harder to come by.
Fresh herbs are not available for sale. (Photo: Linh Duong)
Ms. Tran Thi Lan, a customer who went to the market on the morning of September 10th, shared her surprise at the high prices. She bought only one Chinese cabbage and one bundle of water spinach, but it cost her nearly 70,000 VND. “I was surprised because I usually spend around 30,000 – 35,000 VND on these two items. But today, the price has doubled. When I asked about sweet cabbage, the seller said they didn’t have any and didn’t know if they would have it tomorrow,” Ms. Lan said.
Many convenience stores and supermarkets are also facing a shortage of fresh herbs and leafy vegetables, with only a limited supply available.
