Many tons of agriculture produce -including rice, vegetables and eggs- are stuck in the 26 southern Vietnamese provinces due to Covid-19 lockdowns. According to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, they include 4 million tons of vegetables and fruits. This is due to the transport restrictions imposed in 19 Covid-hit southern localities including Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), which is a major consumer base.
Although the government has directed local authorities to prioritise transport of essential goods, there were no consistent regulations and this hampered the flow of goods.
Long An province authorities said the closure of three wholesale markets and a number of traditional markets in HCMC has resulted in its dragon fruit and rice being left unsold. Exporters are also facing issues as a shortage of containers is causing produce to pile up at ports, while container transport costs have surged 10-fold.
Source: nst.com.my
