(SGTT & DT) - With Tet holiday just around the corner, consumers are being left with no choice but to pay higher prices.Prices on a wide range of consumer goods have risen quickly, causing noticeable reductions in consumption volumes at many larger markets.
Prices on items such as vegetables have increased at retail markets despite demand decreasing on the wholesale level. Many vegetable shop owners have stopped purchasing some imported goods, leading to a noticeable absence of certain types vegetables.
At Tam Binh wholesale market, Thu Duc district, HCM City, prices on tomatoes have gone up around VND1,000 – VND3,000/per kilo, and prices on mustard greens are up about VND3,000 – VND5,000/per kilo. However, consumers at some markets are paying about VND8,000 – VND10,000/per kilo more than usual.
In the past week, the demand for vegetables has reduced due to a lack of consumption. The main cause for increases has been additional delivery costs for shop owners. This has also led to a goods redundancy at wholesale markets, even though prices are very cheap. Meanwhile, there hasn't been adequate supply on such items at retail markets and the prices have been quite expensive.
In the past week, prices on seafood have also increased. According to the Board of Management at Binh Dien market, some seafood prices such as scad and tuna fish have increased about VND1,000 – VND 2,000/per kilo.
According to some seafood wholesalers in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Thuan, Kien Giang and Ca Mau Provinces, seafood outputs have been dramatically reduced this year.
Nguyen Van Huan, a seafood provider to Binh Dien wholesale market, said that the original fish price has increased VND1,000 – VND2,000/per kilo due to a remarkable decrease of catching yield.
Candy and jam prices have also seen a rise in markets. Ginger jam, preserved squash, sweet potato jam and others have increased by about VND5,000 – VND10,000/per kilo in the past week, which was caused by a rise in demand and sugar prices, as well as a decline of materials.
With Tet approaching, more food is expected to be purchased, and if early signs are an indication, people will have to spend more than usual.
