Vegetable prices have surged due to the rain, leaving city dwellers in dire straits.

For almost a week now, due to the impact of continuous heavy rains, the supply of fresh vegetables to markets has become scarce, and prices have risen sharply, with many types almost doubling in price.

A survey conducted by the author at several wholesale and traditional markets in Hanoi, such as Dinh Cong Market, Cau Giay Market, Phung Khoang Market, Hom Market, Dich Vong Market, and Nho Son Market, shows that the prices of various vegetables and tubers have generally increased by 20-30% compared to 1-2 weeks ago.

Specifically, at Dich Vong Market, amaranth and jute mallow are priced at 8,000 VND/bunch, an increase of 2,000 VND/bunch; water spinach increased by 3,000 VND/bunch to 10,000 VND/bunch; sweet potato leaves also increased by 1,000 VND/bunch to 7,000 VND/bunch; and mustard greens increased from 5,000 VND to 8,000 VND/bunch. Cabbage prices increased by 3,000 VND/kg to 15,000 VND/kg; Chinese cabbage increased by 5,000 VND/kg to 16,000 VND/kg; bitter melon increased by 10,000 VND/kg to 16,000 VND/kg. Green onions saw the sharpest price increase, reaching 60,000 VND/kg.

Some root vegetables like tomatoes doubled in price, from 20,000 VND/kg to 40,000 VND/kg; carrots ranged from 25,000 to 30,000 VND/kg; kohlrabi was 8,000 VND/piece… compared to before the storm.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, a vegetable vendor at Dich Vong market, said that the sharp increase in vegetable prices was due to heavy rain and flooding, which reduced the supply of vegetables. Besides, this is the end of the harvest season for some vegetables such as water spinach, jute mallow, sweet gourds, etc., which also causes a shortage in vegetable supply.

“Today, when I went to the wholesale market to buy vegetables, I could only get 5-10kg of each type. By around 8 am, the vegetables at my stall were almost sold out. By afternoon, I don’t know where I’ll get more to sell to customers,” Ms. Thanh shared.

In many vegetable-growing areas in the outskirts of Hanoi, such as Van Noi, Song Phuong, and Tay Tuu, the prolonged heavy rain has caused the vegetables to be flooded and damaged to varying degrees.

Ms. Tran Thi Mai, from Tay Tuu commune, Tu Liem district, who specializes in growing and wholesaling green vegetables to wholesale markets, said that her family grows 6 acres of various green vegetables, but in recent days, the heavy rain has affected the vegetables in her garden, causing slow growth and destroying the newly planted rows.