After Tet the prices of vegetables and foodstuffs in HCM City have become higher than normal.

Several markets in the city are selling them at inflated prices due to low supply since traders and vegetable growers have not resumed full-fledged activities yet.

For instance, cabbage is selling at VND10,000 per kilogramme, double its usual price, while broccoli costs VND40,000, VND5,000 higher than normal.

The prices of clams and fish such as featherback and snakehead have also increased by VND10,000-20,000 per kilogramme.

Many fishing boats have only recently gone out to sea after the New Year and have yet to return, meaning supply is relatively low.

According to traders, families sought after vegetables and seafood more after consuming a large amount of meat during Tết.

Food stalls in many markets opened on Monday - before most other stalls did, but demand has been relatively low due to the high prices. Some of the stalls are closing sooner than usual as a result.

The city Department of Trade said it expects prices to stabilise soon. — VNS