Pork prices continue to soar, with live hog prices increasing by 10,000–15,000 VND ($0.40–$0.60) per kilogram in Hanoi's traditional markets. Meanwhile, Chinese strawberries are flooding Vietnam, falsely labeled as Son La strawberries and sold at bargain prices.

Recently, sweet bamboo shoots from the Northwest region have gone viral on social media, thanks to TikTok mukbang videos. These videos, which showcase the unique crispness and rich flavor of bamboo shoots dipped in traditional "cham cheo" spice mix, have garnered hundreds of thousands to millions of views. Curious consumers are now rushing to buy this specialty, turning it from a cheap local ingredient into a premium-priced delicacy.

On online markets, sweet bamboo shoots are selling for 60,000–120,000 VND ($2.40–$4.80) per kilogram, with younger, smaller shoots commanding higher prices. Most vendors also include a free pack of cham cheo seasoning, an essential component of this Northern Vietnamese specialty.

While some agricultural products are experiencing booming demand, others are facing price crashes. In Nghe An, su su squash prices have plummeted to 300–500 VND ($0.01–$0.02) per kilogram, making it nearly impossible for farmers to sell their crops, even though su su has received OCOP certification (One Commune One Product).

Hoang's family, which cultivates 3,000 square meters of su su, initially sold their produce at 5,000–7,000 VND ($0.20–$0.28) per kilogram, but prices have since collapsed, leaving nearly two tons of harvested squash abandoned in the fields.

Carrot farmers are facing similar struggles, with large-sized carrots now selling for just 200–300 VND ($0.01 per kilogram). The situation is even worse for leafy greens in Pleiku, Gia Lai, where spinach, lettuce, water spinach, cilantro, and green onions have dropped to 1,000 VND ($0.04) per kilogram.

Farmers complain that even at rock-bottom prices, traders are reluctant to buy, forcing them to continue harvesting crops at a loss just to recover some investment in seeds and fertilizers.

While vegetable prices collapse, pork prices are skyrocketing. According to Nguyen Kim Doan, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association, traders are actively scouting for pigs weighing over 100 kilograms, offering 81,000–82,000 VND ($3.24–$3.28) per kilogram - the highest level since the record-breaking 100,000 VND ($4.00) per kilogram price in May 2020. Large-scale pig farms are raking in massive profits, with some reporting billion-VND earnings.

In Hanoi's traditional markets, pork prices have also increased by 10,000–15,000 VND ($0.40–$0.60) per kilogram, depending on the cut. Pork belly is now priced between 145,000–150,000 VND ($5.80–$6.00) per kilogram, ribs range from 140,000–190,000 VND ($5.60–$7.60) per kilogram, and lean pork shoulder, shank, and thigh are selling for 145,000 VND ($5.80) per kilogram. The most expensive cut, pork jowl (nac nong), is now priced at 190,000–250,000 VND ($7.60–$10.00) per kilogram.

Meanwhile, strawberries are flooding the market, with prices varying widely depending on their origin. Son La strawberries are in peak season and are available in both traditional markets and online stores for 60,000–200,000 VND ($2.40–$8.00) per kilogram.

However, cheap Chinese strawberries, often mislabeled as Son La, Moc Chau, or Da Lat strawberries, are being sold for as low as 50,000 VND ($2.00) per kilogram.

A fruit vendor in Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi, revealed that despite an abundant supply of domestic strawberries, many sellers import lower-quality Chinese strawberries and falsely market them as Vietnamese-grown to mislead consumers.

In better news for farmers, Vietnamese rice export prices have rebounded after an 11-week decline. According to the Vietnam Food Association, 5% broken rice is now being offered at $393 per ton, reflecting a slight increase from the previous week.

A rice trader in An Giang noted that demand is rising as exporters and processing companies resume buying from farmers, though supply remains high due to the ongoing winter-spring harvest season.

Hanh Nguyen