In Beijing, markets stock up on produce, daily goods

Supermarkets in Beijing have stocked up with double and triple the usual amount of daily goods — especially vegetables, eggs, meat and fruit — to keep up with rapidly soaring purchases starting on Sunday night. A senior government official said the city's supplies for daily goods are sufficient and prices are stable.

In Fengtai district, the Xinfadi wholesale market, which supplies around 80 percent of the capital's agricultural produce, provides more than 19,000 tons of vegetables on average during the week.

The Xinfadi market expected it will provide more than 20,000 tons of vegetables on Tuesday to meet growing demand.

Tong Wei, secretary to the president of Xinfadi, said the market has sufficient stock at present. With its reserves, it can ensure adequate agricultural produce supply, Tong said.

Wumart, a supermarket in Beijing, extended its operating hours on Sunday night to allow all customers to leave. It has kept double its usual daily stock of vegetables.

Carrefour Group said its stores in Beijing have prepared triple vegetable stocks for the market.

Xiabuxiabu Restaurant Management Co, which operates around 300 hot pot outlets in Beijing, said it has increased its take-out delivery service to meet demand.

All meat and vegetables for the restaurants are sufficient at present, the company said.

On Sunday, some of Xiabuxiabu's restaurants had seen an increase to 150 percent of take-out orders compared with the previous workday.

Earlier this month, Beijing commerce authorities said sufficient government reserves are available for daily goods for the public, and that management has been strengthened to ensure timely use as needed.

Authorities will intensify price monitoring in the market, "especially in wholesale markets and major chain supermarkets", said Zhao Weidong, deputy head of the city's commerce bureau.

He said Beijing offers free nucleic acid tests for all truck drivers who deliver daily goods to the city and will ensure smooth traffic flow.

Contact the writer at dujuan@chinadaily.com.cn