(Yicai Global) Oct. 25 -- China’s vegetable prices, which have jumped as much as 65.5 percent in the past month after record rainfall and low temperatures affected harvests, will continue to climb, but there will be ample supply during the autumn and winter months, the Economic Daily reported today, citing an analyst at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

“Vegetable prices are likely to increase further in future, especially in rain-stricken areas where fields are flooded and crops are having to be harvested by hand,” Zhang Jing said. “Prices will drop once the vegetable supply is restored.”

The price of a cucumber has surged 65.5 percent in the last month and that of a zucchini 36.3 percent, according to the ministry. White radish and spinach are 30.7 percent and 26.5 percent more expensive than they were in September. The average wholesale prices of 28 types of vegetables had gained 8.7 percent as of Oct. 18 from the end of September to CNY4.87 (USD0.76) per kilogram.

The agricultural heartlands of northern Liaoning, Shandong, Hebei and Shanxi provinces as well as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region suffered heavy downpours at the end of September, causing widespread flooding. Much of the fresh crop must now be harvested by hand instead of by machine, greatly increasing costs, the report said, citing a fresh produce vendor at the Beijing Xinfadi Agricultural Products Wholesale Market.

The high prices will encourage farmers to plant more this year, Zhang said. The planting area for winter crops was higher this year than the year before, at around 6.6 million hectares and vegetables are in abundant supply, she added.

Editor: Kim Taylor