There is still room for further decline in vegetable prices in the later stage.

Under the influence of seasonal fluctuations, vegetable prices in China start to decline from March every year. It is expected that vegetable prices will continue to decrease later on, showing a stable and downward trend. Recently, due to multiple factors, vegetable prices in the national market have continued to fall. According to the nationwide wholesale price data of 28 key monitored vegetables by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the average national vegetable price reached its lowest point on May 10th at 4.24 yuan per kilogram, which is a 26.4% decrease from the highest point of 5.76 yuan per kilogram on January 28th. In terms of variety, 26 of the 28 key monitored vegetables saw price declines in early May, with lettuce, tomatoes, and green peppers experiencing significant declines of over 10%. "The recent decline in vegetable prices is mainly due to three reasons," said Kong Fantao, chief analyst of the vegetable market analysis and warning team at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and vice director of the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. "Firstly, the concentrated listing of vegetables has pushed prices down. Secondly, the warmer spring weather has benefited vegetable production. Thirdly, the high previous prices have encouraged expanded planting of vegetables." Kong Fantao predicts that vegetable prices will continue to show a seasonal downward trend in the future. On one hand, the increase in planting area ensures a good supply base. On the other hand, the transition of some varieties of vegetables towards the northern regions, such as winter melon, has not been completed yet, and certain varieties like potatoes and pumpkins are still mainly produced in northern regions through facilities, creating some market supply uncertainty. Overall, vegetable prices are expected to have further room for decline in the future, showing a stable and downward trending pattern.