In August, the supply of essential consumer goods in our district remained ample. Influenced by seasonal factors and shifts in market supply and demand, prices for major agricultural and sideline products experienced structural fluctuations, with an overall trend of "more increases than decreases." Compared to the previous month, the average monthly prices of the 43 monitored agricultural and sideline product varieties showed 11 decreases, 30 increases, and 2 remained flat.

Meat prices saw an uptick. Pork with skin and streaky cuts was priced at 13.38 yuan per jin (up 2.45%), while lean pork reached 14.02 yuan per jin (up 1.74%). Beef was recorded at 36.49 yuan per jin (up 1.84%), and lamb at 40.71 yuan per jin (up 0.84%). As temperatures slightly eased in late summer and early autumn, residents' demand for meat consumption gradually increased, leading to a modest rise in pork prices. Beef and lamb prices edged up steadily, supported by tight supply and consumption structure dynamics.

Egg prices increased to 5.41 yuan per jin (up 7.13%), primarily driven by high-temperature impacts on production capacity, coupled with heightened stocking demand ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Aquatic product prices showed mixed movements. Crucian carp stood at 12.75 yuan per jin (down 0.16%), grass carp at 11.11 yuan per jin (down 0.45%), silver carp at 5.77 yuan per jin (up 4.53%), carp at 8.25 yuan per jin (down 0.12%), and hairtail at 17.75 yuan per jin (up 3.02%). As the fishing moratorium gradually concluded, supply in the aquatic product market recovered somewhat, yet some varieties remained in tight supply, resulting in divergent price trends.

Vegetable prices rose overall, with the average monthly price of 24 vegetable varieties at 2.95 yuan per jin (up 7.66%). Several varieties posted notable gains: cucumber (up 46.12%), round eggplant (up 32.88%), tomato (up 19.49%), round lettuce (up 18.49%), rapeseed (up 16.81%), and curved green beans (up 15.38%). Persistent high temperatures and localized heavy rainfall in August disrupted vegetable cultivation and transportation, propelling overall price increases. Fruit prices exhibited divergent trajectories. Apples were priced at 4.98 yuan per jin (down 1.39%), bananas at 3.25 yuan per jin (down 4.13%), watermelons at 1.76 yuan per jin (up 6.02%), oranges at 5.21 yuan per jin (up 6.98%), and pears at 2.76 yuan per jin (down 5.48%). Watermelons entered the tail end of their marketing season, with prices rebounding; oranges continued to climb due to shrinking inventories; apples, bananas, and pears declined in price as supply remained ample and seasonal fruits provided substitutes.

Looking ahead to September, as weather cools, combined with the consecutive reopening of primary and secondary schools and the approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, bulk procurement and festive stocking demand is set to be released intensively. Meat demand is expected to increase, with prices likely to show a stable-to-rising trend. For eggs, the lingering effects of early-month high temperatures may keep prices elevated, though by mid-month, as temperatures drop and laying rates recover, a pullback is possible. Vegetable supply is anticipated to recover as the summer flood season ends and climatic conditions improve, with price increases likely to moderate. Aquatic product supply is set to expand further, leaving room for downward price adjustments. The fruit market enters a seasonal transition period in autumn, with new harvests coming to market successively, leading to fluctuating prices.

Where the market stands

According to the monitoring data from the Hongqiao District "Vegetable Basket" product information platform for August 2026, detailed monthly average prices per 500 grams were as follows: Indica rice (bulk, standard grade, medium) at 3.14 yuan (up 5.37%); pork with skin and streaky cuts at 13.38 yuan (up 2.45%); lean pork at 14.02 yuan (up 1.74%); boneless beef at 36.49 yuan (up 1.84%); boneless lamb at 40.71 yuan (up 0.84%); fresh red-shell eggs at 5.41 yuan (up 7.13%); crucian carp (300-500 grams per fish) at 12.75 yuan (down 0.16%); grass carp (1000-1500 grams per fish) at 11.11 yuan (down 0.45%); silver carp (1000-1500 grams per fish) at 5.77 yuan (up 4.53%); carp (750-1000 grams per fish) at 8.25 yuan (down 0.12%); hairtail (250-350 grams per fish) at 17.75 yuan (up 3.02%); dressed chicken at 8.21 yuan (up 0.24%).

Key takeaways on vegetables and fruits

Among the 24 fresh vegetable varieties, the average price reached 2.95 yuan per jin (up 7.66%). Specific items included Chinese cabbage at 1.24 yuan (up 10.71%), cabbage at 1.54 yuan (up 6.94%), cucumber at 3.39 yuan (up 46.12%), tomato at 2.33 yuan (up 19.49%), round eggplant at 1.94 yuan (up 32.88%), green pepper at 3.05 yuan (up 8.54%), potato at 1.34 yuan (down 1.47%), garlic sprout at 6.43 yuan (up 5.24%), rapeseed at 2.64 yuan (up 16.81%), celery at 2.00 yuan (flat), white radish at 1.40 yuan (up 2.94%), carrot at 1.65 yuan (up 1.85%), green beans at 4.80 yuan (up 15.38%), chives at 2.56 yuan (up 8.94%), hot pepper at 3.01 yuan (up 2.03%), oyster mushrooms at 5.73 yuan (up 11.91%), white onion at 1.63 yuan (up 1.24%), small zucchini at 2.17 yuan (up 2.36%), scallion at 2.17 yuan (down 8.44%), ginger at 6.41 yuan (up 1.58%), garlic at 6.24 yuan (up 3.14%), cauliflower at 2.48 yuan (down 6.77%), large winter melon at 1.49 yuan (down 3.25%), and round lettuce at 3.14 yuan (up 18.49%).

In the fruit category, Shandong Red Fuji apples were listed at 4.98 yuan per jin (down 1.39%), domestic bananas at 3.25 yuan (down 4.13%), domestic watermelons at 1.76 yuan (up 6.02%), domestic oranges at 5.21 yuan (up 6.98%), and Snowflake pears at 2.76 yuan (down 5.48%). Dairy products, specifically Haihe 100% pure milk in 220ml pillow packs, were priced at 2.30 yuan per unit (down 10.39%), while Haihe pure milk in 250ml boxes stood at 1.95 yuan (down 2.50%).

Notes and disclaimers

1. The price data referenced in this analysis report are provided by district-level price monitoring points. 2. The consumer goods prices published in this report are market-adjusted prices, reflecting price levels and intended for reference only. 3. Due to potential specification differences in product varieties sold across distribution units, the published prices do not serve as a statutory or policy pricing basis, nor as a legal basis for price disputes.