After prolonged rains in early October, flooding reduced supplies from vegetable-growing areas in Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces. Green vegetable prices temporarily rose two to four times. Supplies have stabilized and farm prices have fallen.
On October 23, Hai Nong cooperative director Hoang Thanh Hai said prices supplied to wholesale markets had fallen. Green and sweet mustard cost VND18,000–25,000 per kilogram at farms, gourds and pumpkins VND17,000–20,000, and coriander VND55,000, down VND15,000–20,000 in several days.
Phuoc An reported that the price of gourds supplied to a supermarket chain fell from VND45,000 to VND20,000–22,000 per kilogram. Traditional markets still charged VND40,000–45,000 for mustard and VND90,000–95,000 for coriander. A supplied supermarket charged VND48,000 for vegetables, twice the cooperative price.
Live-hog prices in Dong Nai fell from VND70,000 per kilogram in May to VND48,000–53,000. The national range on October 23 was VND46,000–52,000, the lowest since the start of the year. Dressed pork at Hoc Mon wholesale market fell from VND75,000 to VND65,000 in two months, but retail pork still sold for more than VND100,000–200,000 per kilogram. Pork belly cost VND150,000–170,000 and ribs VND180,000–200,000.
Why retail prices do not fall with producer prices
Hai said farm prices supplied to the Thu Duc, Hoc Mon and Binh Dien wholesale markets change quickly, while retail prices adjust later. Vegetables pass through at least three intermediaries, each adding waste, transport and operating costs. Hai Nong rejects 10–15% during sorting.
Hai said produce sold for VND10,000 per kilogram at the farm can reach consumers at VND30,000. Trader Bich discards three to five 25–30 kilogram baskets daily, sometimes up to 150 kilograms, or 7–10% of incoming goods. Nguyen Tri Cong said slaughtering, transport, storage and distribution costs rise 10–15% or more at each stage.
Sources: Dân Trí
