Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) for food and catering services in March fell by 0.05 percent compared to the previous month, slightly easing overall inflation. Lower rice and vegetable prices outweighed a sharp increase in pork prices linked to seasonal demand and supply constraints, according to the General Statistics Office of Statistics.
Key data:
- Overall food and catering services CPI decreased 0.05% in March
– Contributed -0.02 percentage points to overall CPI - Food prices declined 0.83%
– Rice prices fell 1.13% due to a strong winter-spring harvest and easing global supply pressures
– Other declines included potatoes (-1.97%), corn (-1.07%), vermicelli, and bread - Food group (non-raw items) rose 0.08%
– Pork prices jumped 3.58%, driven by post-holiday shortages and higher festival demand
– Related increases: animal fat (+2.95%), organs (+1.55%), sausages and processed meat
– Dairy, sweets, tea, and coffee also saw minor increases
– Offsetting declines included eggs (-2.24%), fresh seafood (-1.06%), and fruit (-1.75%)
– Notable drops in mangoes (-3.11%), citrus (-2.19%), apples (-1.22%), and bananas (-1.86%) - Vegetable prices declined 1.69%
– Tomatoes (-8.38%), cabbage (-4.66%), beans, and herbs all saw sharp drops due to favourable growing conditions - Catering services (eating out) fell 0.03%
– Driven by minor decreases in eating and drinking out prices
See also: Food and Beverage Industry in Vietnam