Foods for Tet Holiday rich in supply, stable in prices

Recently, merchants at provincial market places have displayed various goods for Tet Holiday including allium chinense, red onion, processed foods, and confectionary. In this year, the prices are stable and in no sudden hike in the days near Tet Holiday.

As Tet Holiday is drawing near, customers prefer dried and fresh foods for dishes of Tet Holiday including dried mushroom, dried bamboo shoots, salted vegetable and allium chinense. Purchase for such goods is expected to increase in the days near Tet Holiday. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang, a merchant at Thu Dau Mot Market has started selling allium chinense sun-dried once or twice in almost a fortnight. Hoang informed that she had purchased both processed and non-processed allium chinense from Nha Trang and Hue to meet the various demands. Aside from allium chinense, she also put red onion and dried garlic on sales. Prices, generally in this year, are stable for allium chinense at VND 20,000 to 35,000 a kg and onion at VND 30,000 to 35,000 a kg.

Goods are displayed at Thu Dau Mot Market for sales. Photo: Q. Nhien

Many merchants also put fresh allium chinense planted by local farmers, taking the advantages of bigger buds and more crisp to supply to neighboring merchants of great quantity.

For farmers, this year’s weather is not favorable for allium chinense, reducing its price by VND 3,000 to 5,000 a kg than last year. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Truc Ly, a farmer at Tan Dinh Ward in Ben Cat Town informed that for each hectare of cultivation the investment into allium chinense seedlings, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, and care would cost VND 50 million. Regarding the current prices, the farmers could be optimistic for more benefits to enjoy a holiday of prosperity and well preparation for the next crops.

By evaluation, prices of foods only increase by 5-10% higher than in normal trading days. Aside from the mentioned goods, merchants also buy in various processed foods to diversify their supply; however, the buying power is relatively low at the moment, prompting many to wait for improved conditions during the days near Tet Holiday. Mr. Nguyen Van Son, a merchant at Thu Dau Mot Market informed that his store has been ready for Tet; however, he did not intent to buy in more goods despite the relatively stable circumstances.

Under prediction, the market status during Tet Holiday should be more hustle for the days to come as more people get paid at year’s end. As for prices, fluctuation should relatively comparing to previous years. Buyers should be selecting safe and quality foods for Tet Holiday.

Reported by Quynh Nhien – Translated by Vi Bao