ID :
31752
Sat, 11/22/2008 - 23:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/31752
The shortlink copeid
Vegetable prices skyrocket after floods
Hanoi (VNA) - Vegetable prices have skyrocketed in the capital city, prompting importers to take advantage of the shortage of domestic vegetables caused by recent floods.
Long Bien wholesale fruit and vegetable market has been overwhelmed with
imported vegetables, mostly from China .
A representative from Long Bien Market Management Board said the amount of
imported vegetables was three times higher than usual - at least five trucks
full of cabbages, carrots, potatoes, cauliflowers and onions each day.
But prices have also soared to double or three times the normal price.
Cabbages cost 15,000 VND a kilogramme instead of the usual 5,000 VND,
tomatoes cost 13,000 VND instead of 4,000 VND and pumpkins cost 14,000 VND
instead of 5,000 VND.
Nguyen Thi Mai, owner of a stall at Long Bien market, said that retailers
at city markets prefer Chinese vegetables because they have a nice
appearance and were treated to maintain their freshness.
While large amounts of imported vegetables are consumed throughout
Vietnam every day, its safety and nutritional content remains questionable
because of recent scares about additives and pesticides.
Nguyen Minh Nga, a resident in Nghi Tam street , said that she could
not distinguish between domestic and imported vegetables.
"Although they look healthy and delicious, I prefer vegetables grown in
Vietnam ," said Nga.
Be Thi Thu Hien, head of Tan Thanh border gate's quarantine station said
that few checks were made on the amount of preservatives and other poisonous
chemicals in imported vegetables.
"Quick tests can't be relied on to show preservative substances or
growth-stimulating chemicals," said Phan Tran Kien, vice head of the
quarantine station.
Nguyen Si Doanh, vice head of the Plant Protection Department under the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said an inspection team had
been established to test 11 kinds of imported vegetables.
He said it would take until January for vegetable growers in northern
Vietnam to reestablish their supplies.-Enditem
Long Bien wholesale fruit and vegetable market has been overwhelmed with
imported vegetables, mostly from China .
A representative from Long Bien Market Management Board said the amount of
imported vegetables was three times higher than usual - at least five trucks
full of cabbages, carrots, potatoes, cauliflowers and onions each day.
But prices have also soared to double or three times the normal price.
Cabbages cost 15,000 VND a kilogramme instead of the usual 5,000 VND,
tomatoes cost 13,000 VND instead of 4,000 VND and pumpkins cost 14,000 VND
instead of 5,000 VND.
Nguyen Thi Mai, owner of a stall at Long Bien market, said that retailers
at city markets prefer Chinese vegetables because they have a nice
appearance and were treated to maintain their freshness.
While large amounts of imported vegetables are consumed throughout
Vietnam every day, its safety and nutritional content remains questionable
because of recent scares about additives and pesticides.
Nguyen Minh Nga, a resident in Nghi Tam street , said that she could
not distinguish between domestic and imported vegetables.
"Although they look healthy and delicious, I prefer vegetables grown in
Vietnam ," said Nga.
Be Thi Thu Hien, head of Tan Thanh border gate's quarantine station said
that few checks were made on the amount of preservatives and other poisonous
chemicals in imported vegetables.
"Quick tests can't be relied on to show preservative substances or
growth-stimulating chemicals," said Phan Tran Kien, vice head of the
quarantine station.
Nguyen Si Doanh, vice head of the Plant Protection Department under the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said an inspection team had
been established to test 11 kinds of imported vegetables.
He said it would take until January for vegetable growers in northern
Vietnam to reestablish their supplies.-Enditem
