Flooding Doubles Vegetable Prices at Khon Kaen Market
Vegetable prices at Khon Kaen's Bang Lamphoo Market have doubled following widespread flooding that devastated crop-growing areas in central and northern Thailand, causing severe supply shortages.
On September 29, a news team surveyed prices at Bang Lamphoo Market in Khon Kaen Municipality and found chili peppers and fresh vegetables had jumped significantly in cost. Vendors attributed the increases to widespread flooding of cultivated areas in the central and northern regions, which has cut off supplies and created shortages of certain items.
Thongbai Lueatheap, owner of Mae Thongbai Fresh Vegetable Shop in Khon Kaen, reported that garden chili peppers have risen from 200 baht per kilogram to 300 baht, while stemmed chili reaches 350 baht per kilogram. A 5-kilogram bag that previously cost 700 baht now sells for 1,300 baht.
"The price increases are due to flooding in the central and northern growing regions," she explained. "Some days we have no stock to sell at all. When supplies are scarce, prices climb higher." Other vegetables showing sharp rises include holy basil, which jumped from 200 baht to 600 baht per 5-kilogram bag; Chinese broccoli from 120 to 200 baht; water morning glory from 120 to 400 baht; and Thai basil from 120 to 300 baht. The situation has made imported vegetables relatively cheaper compared to Thai-grown produce.
