Today (July 31) is exactly 1 week of social distancing in Hanoi to prevent the COVID-19 epidemic, food and grocery prices are an issue that many people are interested in and updated.

However, unlike the concerns before the social distancing took place, after a few days of fluctuations due to people taking advantage of the opportunity to buy and stockpile, the food and grocery market has stabilized again, goods are always abundant, not scarce. Prices are no different from normal days, however, a few items have increased sharply in price.

The items with the strongest price increases

Right after Hanoi implemented social distancing (from 6am on July 24), supermarkets and markets in Hanoi were crowded with buyers. Some people have the mentality of buying and storing goods for a long time. With the characteristics of being easy to process and preserve, poultry eggs are always the first choice of many families. The popularity of this item has pushed the price up quite high compared to the time before the social distancing period.

In many traditional markets, the price of local chicken eggs has increased from about 30,000 VND to 45,000 VND/dozen. Industrial chicken eggs cost 37,000 - 38,000 VND/dozen, tens of thousands of VND more expensive than before the social distancing period.

In contrast to the price increase in the market, chicken eggs have hardly increased in supermarkets but have gradually become scarce. Immediately after the social distancing period, eggs at Vinmart supermarket chain were continuously "sold out". At present, it is also difficult to buy chicken eggs at this supermarket chain if you come late.

Along with eggs, a few types of fruit also have increased in price, such as fresh lemons increased from 22,000 to about 25,000 VND/kg, and oranges increased from 50,000 VND to 60,000-65,000 VND/kg. Many housewives said they want to buy more of these fruits to supplement vitamin C and increase resistance against the pandemic.

In particular, pineapple prices have increased sharply in recent days. At Nghia Tan market (Nghia Tan ward, Cau Giay district), a pineapple costs 20,000 VND, double the price before the social distancing period. At Vinh Ho market (Thinh Quang ward, Dong Da district), the price of pineapple increased from 8,000 - 10,000 VND/fruit to 15,000 VND/fruit.

Abundant goods, stable prices

However, basically, the prices of essential goods in Hanoi during the days of social distancing remain stable, with almost no price increases. At supermarkets, vegetables, fruits, and food are always quickly replenished when the stock is low.

Green vegetables are always full on supermarket shelves.

Meanwhile, at traditional markets, this item is also full, always ready for consumers to choose. The phenomenon of price increases only occurs on a small scale, internally and is not common.

The prices of meats also remain unchanged: pork belly is about 120,000 - 150,000 VND/kg; baby back ribs are priced at 160,000 - 165,000 VND/kg; rump is 90,000 - 100,000 VND/kg. Beef costs around 200,000 - 250,000 VND/kg...

Fruits are also very popular due to stable prices: mangosteen 30,000 - 50,000 VND/kg, mango 40,000 - 45,000/kg; peach 50,000 VND/kg, custard apple 25,000 30,000 VND/kg...

Essential goods are always available at traditional markets.

According to the report on agricultural production and connection, supply of agricultural, forestry and fishery products between Hanoi and other provinces, serving people in the city in the work of preventing and fighting the COVID-19 epidemic of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the city. Hanoi, every month Hanoi needs about 244,000 tons of rice, vegetables, meat, seafood... and nearly 124 million poultry eggs.

Most of the food and food produced in the city meets almost all the demand. There is still a surplus of poultry meat, because each month the output is about 10,671 tons, while the city's demand is only 6,198 tons/month. Meanwhile, some food items must be imported from other provinces and cities in large quantities such as: buffalo and beef meat (imported 80.7%); vegetables must be imported 34.9% more; processed foods imported up to 81%.

The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade also said that the city has ensured adequate reserves of 17 essential goods to meet the consumption needs of the people. The amount of essential goods increased 3 times compared to normal with 836,000 tons of rice; 167,346 tons of pork; 48,150 tons of buffalo and beef meat; 55,782 tons of poultry meat; over 1 million poultry eggs...

In particular, before the event of the Southern wholesale market having to close due to a case of the disease, the leader of the Ministry of Industry and Trade also spoke up to reassure consumers. Ms. Nguyen Phuong Lan - acting director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade - affirmed that this agency has directed the review of vacant land areas ready to operate when traditional markets and wholesale markets have to close. At the same time, the gathering and selling points are divided into smaller areas to avoid disruption of food supply.

"Hanoi has been proactive and ready with the supply of distribution systems for many months now. When there are fluctuations, Hanoi can still fully meet the needs of the people," Ms. Lan said.

According to Ms. Lan, Hanoi has developed a plan to reserve goods at 3 levels. When the epidemic increases, shopping demand increases sharply, goods are likely to be locally scarce, or there are difficulties in circulation, Hanoi will increase the amount of goods in reserve by 3 times.

At the same time, mobilize all forces to transport goods from warehouses outside the city into the city; prepare human resources to transport goods overnight into the inner city, increase opening hours. If more advanced measures are needed, nearly 2,000 mobile sales points will be activated.