Prices of essential goods have almost stabilized after the Tet (Lunar New Year) price rise.
Statistics of Trading Bureau of Tam Binh Market in district Thu Duc, show that the market has received around 900 tons of vegetables and 1,300 tons of fruit recently, but prices were still slightly higher than normal.
In Ben Thanh retail market, bitter melon is selling at VND15, 000 a kilogram compared to VND20, 000 per kilogram prior to Tet and cucumber is down from VND30, 000 a kilogram to VND25, 000.
Dried seafood products have also fallen in Ben Thanh and Binh Tay market in district 6. However, fresh produce was still fetching a bit more because of high demand.
Pork and beef prices returned to normal but have risen again slightly. Chicken prices are steady. In shop chains of Phu An Sinh Company, Tam Ky Vietnamese bred chickens were VND80, 000 while American breeds of chicken dropped by VND7, 000 a kilogram.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, said duck and hen eggs prices had fallen by VND22, 000 a dozen compared to before the Tet holidays. Freshwater fish fell by VND5, 000 and big red tilapia was VND38,000 a kilogram.
The retail market management board said prices of essential items were still high, because of unscrupulous businesses taking advantage of Tet holidays such as the shops selling melons in Le Van Tho Street in Go Vap district.
Other shops especially eateries and restaurants said their price increases were due to inflated fuel costs despite the city People’s Committee’s order to stabilize prices by March 15. Consumer spending in the city in February has been the highest for the 17 past months by 1.68 percent, with restaurant spending up by 2.66 percent.
The deputy head of the city’s Department of Industry and Trade, Quach To Dung, said prices have escalated because supermarkets closed and stocks at wholesale markets were down. Now that supermarkets have reopened prices should go down.
Ms. Dung advised customers to choose trusted outlets with clear price labeling.
