Vientiane sees veg price rise, while meat remains stable
Vientiane sees veg price rise, while meat remains stable
The price of some vegetables and herbs rose in Vientiane on the first day of the New Year as there were not so many vendors in the city's markets.
But prices are now back to normal, a vendor, Ms Ko, told Vientiane Times at the weekend.
The cost of onions rose from 17,000-18,000 kip a kg to 20,000-25,000 kip; lettuce from 4,000-5,000 kip a kg to 6,000-7,000 kip; mint from 10,000 kip-12,000 kip a kg to 12,000-14,000 kip; morning glory from 5,000 kip a kg to 7,000-8,000 kip; and cabbage from 4,000-5,000 kip a kg to 6,000 kip.
Vegetables such as eggplant, tomatoes, coriander and Chinese cabbage saw no change in price on New Year's Day.
Ms Ko said some prices rose because vendors who did set up shop that day seized the opportunity to hike prices as they didn't have the usual amount of competition.
Such arbitrary price hikes are common at holiday times. Ms Ko said vendors who sell smaller quantities at local markets would make a profit after buying produce in bulk from Khuadin market.
The price of fish, pork and meat was unchanged on New Year's Day because these items come under government control.
In the run up to New Year, the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department instructed vendors not to raise their prices.
The department's announcement listed the fixed prices of meat and fish, quoting beef at 65,000-70,000 kip per kg, pork at 35,000-38,500 kip per kg, and tilapia at 19,000 kip per kg.
The short-lived price rise of some vegetables and herbs did not affect consumers to any great extent, but did reap significant profit for some vendors.
