Fuel prices drop, do market prices have a "cooling"?

Domestic fuel prices have recently dropped sharply, creating expectations that the prices of consumer goods will follow suit. However, a survey of daily-use markets in Hanoi over the past 1-2 days shows that food prices seem to be 'stuck in place', not decreasing in line with the drop in fuel prices. Ms. Hải, a chicken vendor at Phùng Khoang Market (Hanoi), said that chicken prices have slightly increased compared to last week. The reason is that they are currently at the end of their production cycle, leading to a shortage in supply. "Chickens at the end of their cycle always have high prices; prices only decrease when the new cycle begins," Ms. Hải said. Among small traders selling seafood such as fish, shrimp, crabs, and squid, many reported that prices remain almost unchanged at high levels, or even slightly increased. The reason is that the costs of catching, preserving, and the supply of goods have not decreased in line with fuel prices. "Fuel prices have indeed decreased, ...