Clients buy vegetable food at Thien Tu Tam shop in Thu Dau Mot city.
Ram Thang Gieng holiday (15th day of the first Lunar month) is the biggest time for vegetarians, so vegetable food and fruit and flower for offering are very expensive.
Consumption of vegetable food on the rise
At present, most of supermarkets and markets in Thu Dau Mot city have displayed vegetable food with numerous various kinds. According to reps of many groceries, the number of clients buying vegetable food increases sharply. Mrs Tham, the owner of a grocery said that processed vegetable food are liked because its convenience and delicious flavor.
Therefore, in order to thoroughly prepare for the Ram Thang Gieng holiday, groceries preserve numerous vegetable food in service for consumers. Mrs. Tham added that the number of consumed vegetable food increases 30-40% compared with the ordinary days with the average turnover of about VND15-20mil per day and will continue to rise on the days near the 15th day of the first lunar month. Despite increase on purchasing power, selling price of vegetable food remains stable.
Aside from processed vegetable food, vegetable food eateries have attracted numerous dinners. According to staff of vegetable rice shop in Thu Dau Mot city, on these days, the number of sold vegetable food increases three-fold from the ordinary days. Eateries actively serve well for dinners’ requirement.
Many items’ price increases
Flower, fruit are indispensible items for families to display on altar on the Ram Thang Gieng holiday. Presently, the quantity of fruit and flower that are displayed at markets is huge with price hike of 20-30% from the ordinary days. A survey implemented on Feb. 27 showed that sugar tangerine is at VND65,000 per kg, green skin grapefruit at VND90,000 per kg, dragon fruit at VND45,000 per kg and so on. Mrs. Nga, the owner of fruit shop at Thu Dau Mot market said that to supply various kinds of fruits for clients, she purchases goods from various sources. Owing to sharp increase on demand, price of fruits rises about 20%.
Apart from fruit, flower shops are very lively with the price hike of 50-200% from the normal days. Meanwhile, price of mushrooms is at VND80,000-120,000 per kg. many small traders said that in the coming days price of mushrooms will rise at VND170,000 per kg.
Truong Nhat Nam, head of the provincial market control bureau said that the bureau recently convened to launch inspection and market control across localities in a bid to ensure food safety and hygiene. The inspection is to assure order of business and enjoyment of Ram Thang Gieng holiday.
Reported by T.Huynh – Translated by A.C