Prolonged rain drives vegetable prices sharply higher in Ho Chi Minh City

The sky-high prices of common vegetables have forced housewives to adjust their daily spending.

Bich Hanh, a resident of Chanh Hung Ward, recalled that green gourds cost only around VND10,000 (US$0.4) per kilogram in October, but now sell for up to VND40,000 ($1.6).

“Vegetables are essential for my family. With prices so high, I only dare to buy VND5,000 ($0.18) worth of water spinach just to have a little on the table,” she said.

At Binh An Market in Binh Dong Ward, the prices of various types of vegetables have surged.

Water spinach is sold at VND50,000 ($1.9) per kilogram, while white cabbage costs VND45,000 ($1.7) per kilogram.

Vendors said that such prices are pushing many shoppers to tighten their budgets.

Le Thi Kieu Diem, a vendor at Lo Than Market in Binh Dong Ward, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the prices of vegetables had fluctuated constantly over the past few days.

The price of gourds has risen to VND30,000 ($1.12) per kilogram from the previous VND10,000 ($0.4), while cucumbers sell for VND28,000 ($1.06) per kilogram, up from VND10,000.

The price of green onions has climbed the most, reaching VND70,000 ($2.65) per kilogram.

Other vegetables, including water spinach, tomatoes and bitter melon, now cost twice as much as last month.

Diem attributed the hike in vegetable prices to a steep drop in supply after heavy rains and flooding, which have limited the volume of goods arriving at wholesale markets.

Retail vendors are also earning little profit because their purchasing prices have risen so much, she added.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, a consumer in Binh Dong Ward, said her family has had to tighten expenses.

“Before the spike, vegetables were cheap and I bought plenty for the whole family,” Ha shared.

“However, now a kilogram of vegetables can cost up to VND60,000 ($2.3), so I have to think carefully before buying anything,” she added.

Ly Thanh Tam, who runs a vegetable stall on Pham The Hien Street, said that the price of cabbage has increased from VND20,000 ($0.75) to VND30,000 ($1.1) per kilogram, while gourds, luffa and squash have seen their prices jump from VND25,000 ($0.9) to VND45,000 ($1.7) per kilogram.

Okra and tomatoes now cost about VND50,000 ($1.8) per kilogram.

Fruit prices have followed the same upward trend, rising by VND5,000 - VND15,000 ($0.18 - $0.56) per kilogram.

Le Thi Ro, another vendor at Lo Than Market, said the price of guava has grown from VND20,000 to VND35,000 per kilogram.