Why has the price of fresh produce increased and what can be done to resolve this problem?

These days the cost of agricultural produce, meat and fish is higher than ever, even though much of it is produced in Laos. Amid growing concern over rising prices, Vientiane Times asked some local residents for their thoughts on the problems people face and what could be done to lower costs.

Mr Kae Mangthilath, a farmer in Xaythany district: It’s true that this year vegetables are expensive because farmers aren’t growing enough to meet demand. I’m also not growing so many crops because everything has got so expensive, including seeds and fertiliser, which now cost three times what they used to. The price of vegetables on sale in markets is high but we actually don’t earn that much from the crops we grow. Sometimes I lose money, especially in the wet season, because cultivation is difficult. I might spend a lot but I don’t always get a good harvest. If fertiliser gets even more expensive, I might stop planting altogether Some people ask me why I don’t grow organic vegetables. If everyone grows only organic crops, prices would be higher still and we wouldn’t be able to grow enough vegetables to meet market demand.
 
Mr Bailomphat Thepbouly, a resident of Vientiane: I live in an area where there are many chicken farms and a lot of vegetable farms. In the past I used to buy very little in the way of vegetables from markets because I could get what I needed for free locally, and chicken and eggs were also not expensive. But now a tray of 30 eggs has risen in price from 20,000 kip to 50,000 kip. I don’t get free vegetables from my neighbours any more because I know it’s expensive and they invest a lot of money in their crops. Last year pork cost 40,000 kip per kilo but today it costs 65,000 to 70,000 kip.
 
Ms Tingkhoun Vanphaserth, a company employee in Vientiane: It’s difficult to cope with the rising cost of living because everything costs more while our salaries remain the same or have been reduced. We have to work harder to earn more income. I know that vegetables, fish, meat and eggs cost more because the price of fertiliser and animal feed has risen. Today dill costs 70,000 kip per kilo, amaranth spinach is on sale at 30,000 kip and coriander costs 200,000 kip per kilo, while the cost of mint has also risen. I’ve never seen prices like these before. I don’t know what to do when everything is so expensive except try to buy less. The government should solve this problem by helping farmers to grow more vegetables and raise more animals.

Ms Bausone, a company employee in Vientiane: I don’t know if high-level government officials have the same problems as us and if they also don’t have enough money to buy food. Do they know the trouble we’re in or do they know but don’t know how to help? Whatever, we will have bigger problems if they don’t do something to help. I would really like the government to show some concern for the way people are suffering and not just wait for international organisations to come to the rescue. When Laos graduates from Least Developed Country status soon, many development projects may wind up and then we could be in an even worse state.

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update October 14, 2022)