In response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi in northern Vietnam, which resulted in the destruction of a significant portion of agricultural produce, supermarkets in the region have escalated their procurement of vegetables and fruits from the central and southern parts of the country. Central Retail Vietnam, which operates the GO supermarket chain, has notably increased its orders from the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, doubling its stock to address the shortfall. The company reported the delivery of 150 tons of produce immediately following the disaster.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development highlighted the extent of the damage, with Yagi, the most potent typhoon to hit the area in three decades, affecting over 124,500 hectares of rice and destroying 28,900 hectares of vegetables and fruits. Winmart and MM Mega Market, among others, have also adjusted their supply chains, sourcing hundreds of tons of produce from the south to meet the demand in the north, despite logistical challenges posed by flooded roads and damaged infrastructure. Retail chains have maintained stable prices for essentials, despite increased delivery costs, under directives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure adequate food supply and discourage hoarding.
Simultaneously, the city of Đà Lạt in Lâm Đồng Province has ramped up its vegetable shipments to the northern provinces by 30 percent to compensate for the shortages. Suppliers have shifted their focus towards root vegetables, which are easier to transport and store compared to leaf vegetables. The agricultural sector in Đà Lạt is working to meet the increased demand from supermarkets and wholesale markets in the affected areas, with expectations of price increases in agricultural products due to the storm's impact, although similar to the trends observed in previous years.
As the affected regions continue to recover from the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which not only caused substantial agricultural losses but also resulted in 24 deaths and significant infrastructural damage, the concerted efforts of supermarkets, suppliers, and local governments aim to stabilize the food supply chain and mitigate the storm's impact on food security in northern Vietnam.
Sources: VnExpress & Viet Nam News