In Hanoi, Vietnam, the price of green vegetables has doubled following storm Bualoi, with traders warning of further shortages in the coming days. Leafy vegetables are among the most affected, with supply reduced due to heavy rains and flooding in production areas.
At Tran Quang Dieu market in Dong Da district, water spinach was reported at 15,000–20,000 VND per bunch (US$0.59–0.78), Malabar spinach at 12,000–15,000 VND per bunch (US$0.47–0.59), and squash up to 30,000 VND/kg (US$1.17). These prices are nearly double compared with normal days.
A trader explained that prolonged heavy rainfall had spoiled large amounts of produce, forcing prices higher. In contrast, sweet potatoes and potatoes have remained stable.
At the O Cho Dua market, demand has been strong, with people queuing from early morning to secure supplies. Green vegetables have seen sharp increases. Cat's whiskers reached 25,000–30,000 VND/kg (US$0.97–1.17), Malabar spinach 15,000 VND/bunch (US$0.59), and cauliflower 50,000 VND/kg (US$1.95).
According to a trader at Dich Vong market in Cau Giay, supplies are expected to tighten further. "It will probably be harder to buy vegetables in the next two or three days because many vegetable fields are deeply flooded. We went to buy goods this morning but couldn't find many suppliers," she said.
Consumers have expressed concern at the rapid change in pricing. One shopper noted that prices had doubled within a day, questioning whether small traders were also raising prices beyond supply-driven changes. Another consumer said that 50,000 VND (US$1.95) only bought a small amount of vegetables, adding that green vegetables had become more expensive than meat.
The Northern Hydrometeorological Forecasting Center reported that Hanoi will continue to face moderate to heavy rains with thunderstorms in the coming days. With vegetable fields in low-lying areas still flooded, supplies are likely to remain limited and prices high. Unless replenishment arrives from neighboring provinces, further increases in vegetable prices are expected.
Source: Nge An