Photo: VCG

A fresh market in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, was fined 500,000 yuan ($78,281) by local authorities for hiking prices amid latest COVID-19 flareup. The seller was found to have raised prices of some vegetables as mass purchase happened in the city. 

According to a notice from the local market oversight authority on Sunday, residents of Zhuanghe, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of the city of Dalian, reported that the Changsheng Hongyuan Fresh Supermarket had significantly increased the price of vegetables during the epidemic.

After an investigation from the authorities, the market was found to have substantially raised the retail prices of some products on November 4, while its cost did not experience major changes. 

It was also found that the market raised the price several times on the same day when mass consumption was made.

The 500,000 yuan fine was imposed based on the Price Law of China, according to the notice.

The authorities also vowed to continue to strengthen law enforcement and seriously investigate and handle price violations to ensure the stability of prices.

Dalian has recorded more than 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since November 4 , characterized by infection clusters in workplaces, homes and schools. The first identified case of the current outbreak was apparently related to a cold-storage facility, making it the third flareup of this kind in the city.

The move also comes as consumer prices of vegetables in China surged in October caused by flooding in some provinces and delays in transportation. The central government has been asking local authorities to take measures to ensure supply and stabilize prices of vegetables during the coming winter and spring seasons.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the steep rise of vegetable prices has been easing thanks to increasing supplies. The ministry also predicted that the overall prices of vegetables and fruits will remain elevated with the arrival of 2022 and the Chinese New Year  which falls on late January. However, the magnitude of the hike in prices will be curbed.