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, prices have risen sharply, with many types even nearly doubling in price.

According to the author’s survey at several wholesale and traditional markets in Hanoi, such as Dinh Cong Market, Cau Giay Market, Phung Khoang Market, Hom Market, Dich Vong Market, Nho Son Market, etc., 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; mustard greens increased from 5,000 VND to 8,000 VND/bunch; cabbage 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 vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes, have doubled in price, from 20,000 VND/kg to 40,000 VND/kg; carrots are priced at 25,000-30,000 VND/kg; and kohlrabi at 8,000 VND/piece… compared to before the storm.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, a vegetable vendor at Dich Vong market, said that vegetable prices have risen sharply due to heavy rains causing flooding, which has reduced the supply of vegetables. In addition, this is the end of the harvest season for some vegetables such as water spinach, jute mallow, and sweet gourds, which has also contributed to the shortage.

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

In many suburban vegetable-growing areas of Hanoi such as Van Noi, Song Phuong, Tay Tuu, etc., due to prolonged heavy rain, vegetables have been flooded and damaged to varying degrees.

Ms. Tran Thi Mai, residing in Tay Tuu commune, Tu Liem district, specializes in growing and wholesaling green vegetables to wholesale markets. She stated that her family cultivates 6 sao (approximately 0.6 hectares) of various green vegetables, but due to heavy rain in recent days, the vegetables in her garden have grown slowly and the newly planted rows have been completely destroyed.