After fluctuating for two days, the rice market in Ho Chi Minh City began to level out on April 28. Most rice agents saw no irrational rush to buy in bulk.

Despite a sudden buying spree, rice prices at the market, the price of rice at COOPMART supermarket chain have remained stable. Last weekend, the Saigon Coop sold 100 tonnes of rice at VND10,800-11,300 per kilogramme. As of the morning of April 29, it was still selling rice at the same prices. Saigon Coop general director Nguyen Ngoc Hoa said that rice supplies at its 63 shops will be abundant in the next few days. Small fleet of cars will be used to sell rice to people in remote and mountainous areas.

On April 28, the Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee met with relevant the leaders of 24 districts, food companies and supermarkets to devise measures to stabilise the rice market. Chairman of the City’s People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City is not short of rice and can supply enough rice to local people at stable prices. He authorised the Department of Trade to closely coordinate with the market management teams of 24 districts to check and supervise the sales of rice and strictly punish any speculators.