Recent vegetable prices have been relatively stable in general, with the exception of last week (December 30, 2019-January 3, 2020), where prices surged and then fell. Commodities such as cauliflowers, broccolis, cowpeas, and eggplants were sold at high prices earlier, but with smoother transitions among production areas, there’s no longer a gap in the market, leading prices to fall back. The vegetable supply and demand have improved.
In addition, the favorable weather since the beginning of the winter this year is beneficial for the growth of vegetables in Shanghai and surrounding suburban areas. The wholesale prices of pakchoi, Chinese cabbages, Hangzhou cabbages, tatsoi, and Chinese lettuce in the market are generally at 0.5-1.0 yuan per half a kilo. In the meantime, the supply of vegetables from the suburbs has also been improved compared with previous years.
Compared with the year before, vegetable prices in December have increased, which is mainly due to the impact of dry weather in some parts of the South which delayed the availability. Cold snaps also damaged vegetables in some production areas. Another factor is that the Spring Festival this year comes earlier, falling in mid-January.
Since the beginning of this winter, cold snaps that occurred usually only lasted 1-2 days, and then the temperature would rise immediately, having a limited impact on overall vegetable growth and production. Judging from the current growth in the field and weather prospects, the overall vegetable supply this year is better than the same period last year.
Source: Today's Headlines