Cooling Down Skyrocketing Scallion Prices: $5/kg and Rising – What’s the Solution?

In recent weeks, many homemakers in Ho Chi Minh City have complained about the skyrocketing prices of vegetables, with some even surpassing the cost of meat and fish in daily meals. Prices of various vegetables have surged to 30,000–40,000 VND/kg, and some have even exceeded 100,000 VND/kg.

The soaring vegetable prices have left both homemakers and food business owners in distress. Mrs. Nguyễn Kim Cương, a bánh canh seller on Vạn Kiếp Street (Gia Định Ward, HCMC), shared that many customers dine out and are unaware of the price hike, forcing her to explain the reduced portions due to the high cost of vegetables. For instance, green onions, which used to cost 30,000 VND/kg, now fetch 110,000 VND/kg. “Fortunately, bean sprouts and bitter melon prices have only risen slightly, so I don’t have to reduce portions as much,” she added.

According to Mr. Lưu Lập Đức, Director of Agri Đức Tiến Co., Ltd. (Lâm Đồng), the recent storms have severely damaged vegetable farms, drastically reducing yields and driving prices up. “Businesses are now operating on a ‘sell what’s available’ basis. Herbs and lettuce are nearing 100,000 VND/kg, tomatoes are around 40,000 VND/kg, and cucumbers range from 25,000 to 30,000 VND/kg—all at farm gate prices,” Mr. Đức explained.

He predicts that vegetable prices will remain high until the end of December, as production recovery takes time and imports remain limited.

At retail markets in HCMC, such as Bà Chiểu, Thị Nghè, Hòa Bình, and Tân Định, vegetable prices remain elevated at 40,000–60,000 VND/kg. Ms. Tâm, a vendor at Thị Nghè Market, noted that wholesale prices have surged, forcing her to raise retail prices. However, she hesitates to increase them further for fear of losing customers.

Managers of several wholesale markets report that vegetable-growing regions are recovering post-storms, and supply is expected to improve, easing prices. However, the extent of the decrease depends heavily on weather conditions.

Ms. Lê Hà Mộng Ngọc, CEO of Nấm Việt Biotechnology Company (Phú Hòa Đông Commune, HCMC), stated that her company’s 10-hectare vegetable chain suffered significant losses. “Previously, we harvested over 500 kg daily, but now it’s only about 200 kg. Chives, bok choy, and lettuce have been nearly wiped out,” Ms. Ngọc said.

According to Ms. Ngọc, many farmers have replanted, but it will take 2–3 weeks before harvesting can resume. If rainy and flooded conditions persist, vegetable prices will struggle to drop. “Even when supply stabilizes, prices are unlikely to return to previous levels and will remain 5,000 VND/kg higher to offset costs and prevent losses,” she predicted.

Responding to questions from Người Lao Động Newspaper about the recent surge in vegetable prices in HCMC and the risk of further increases, Mr. Nguyễn Nguyên Phương, Deputy Director of HCMC’s Department of Industry and Trade, attributed the rise to unfavorable weather, reduced yields, and higher production and transportation costs, all driven by supply-demand dynamics.

Mr. Phương noted that high prices incentivize farmers to expand vegetable cultivation or switch from other crops due to higher profits. Given the short growth cycle of vegetables, supply will gradually recover, allowing the market to self-correct and prices to stabilize.