Vegetable prices double following cross-border driver's infection

Prices of fresh vegetables sold in Hong Kong wet markets have doubled or even tripled on Sunday, after several dozens of cross-border drivers were kept at a border point due to a driver's infection.

A total of 70 drivers were stuck at Man Kam To border point as of Sunday afternoon, and their vehicles carry almost half of all vegetables supplied to Hong Kong on a day, a veteran said.

In a Ma On Shan wet market, choy sum costs HK$30 per catty, more than double of the usual price. That of Pak choy doubles to HK$28 per catty. Jointed wax gourd costs HK$30 per catty, triple the normal price.

Shoppers were shocked about the surges, but said they have no alternative but to keep on buying. Some switched to supermarkets, where choy sum costs around HK$20 per catty – cheaper than in wet market.

Stanley Chiang Chi-wai, chairman of the Hong Kong Land Transport Council, said nine drivers were banned from returning to Hong Kong as they went on the same coach carrying an infected driver and were listed as close contacts.

Apart from the nine, several dozens of drivers who stayed in the same hotel as the infected will also be taken out of a quarantine-free list. They will be banned from cross-border transportation for 21 days.

Chiang said there are around 200 drivers who deliver fresh food across the border, including seafood, vegetables and pork. With a significant number of drivers suspended from the trade, Hong Kong is bound is see impact in food supply, he expected.