Data from the Xinfadi Market shows that vegetable prices fluctuated and mainly increased in early to mid-August, but came down again after August 20th. The reason that vegetable prices increased in early August was the sudden shift from high temperatures to excessive rainfall in July, which influenced vegetable production. The prolonged period of high temperatures and then excessive rainfall caused many vegetables to rot in the fields or after harvest. The supply volume decreased and this resulted in a price increase. In late August, temperatures dropped in north China to a degree more suitable for vegetable production and the supply volume consequently increased. Vegetable prices then began to show a downward trend.
Data further shows that the wholesale price of bok choy in the Xinfadi Market is currently between 0.8 and 1 yuan [0.12-0.15 USD] per 0.5 kg, which is a decrease of 55% in comparison with the previous week and a decrease of 33.33% in comparison with the same period in the previous year. The bok choy currently on the market mainly comes from Beijing and surrounding production areas, in particular from Langfang in Hebei. Bok choy grows best in cooler temperatures and the high temperatures of July and early August as well as the excessive rainfall both limited the production volume at that time. The price sharply increased as a result. Now that the temperatures have come down and rainfall decreased, bok choy production recovered and the price rapidly decreased. Since the supply volume is still growing, there is even more room for the price of bok choy to decrease.
The price of cucumbers also significantly dropped with a decrease of 22.22% in comparison with the previous week and 36.36% in comparison with the same period in the previous year. The main reason for this development is the arrival of cucumbers from Liaocheng, Shandong, on the market. Previously, most cucumbers came from Langfang in Hebei and Zhaoyang in Liaoning. Cucumbers in that area also suffered from high temperatures and excessive rainfall, which drove the price up.
Source: Baijia Hao