Inflation has hit hard here and the first indication is found in the local vegetable markets. 市场 （shi chang). Newspapers and other reporters are beginning to take notice of the impact this has had all over China. The government too has started taking interest since in some places the prices have as much as doubled in a matter of months. Part of the reason seems to be the loss of farmable land due to development. Another reason is the cost of transporting those vegetables has also risen. In our area, an agricultural province, the vegetables do not have to come so far, but that has not stopped people from raising the prices. If you ask why it was less expensive yesterday, they just say: "taxes" and you basically have no solution except not to buy or keep looking for a cheaper price. The price of a carton of milk went from 7.50Y to 8.50Y for about a month and then just like that, it was back to 7.50Y. Do prices really change that quickly or was I being gouged? My friend who shops at the same place never paid more than 7.50Y. Hmmm. Interesting. The government has set up stands all over the city where vegetables are sold at a slightly reduced rate. These are mobbed early in the morning and not much is left by the time we head home from work and have time to stop and buy. They mostly have green, leafy vegetables but I have seen a few with tomatoes and other veggies. I brought a bag today just in case I have an opportunity to buy some. For you living in western countries, this rise in price may not seem so harsh considering how high prices are already. However, when many people here make about $13 US a month, paying twice as much for anything puts things in perspective.
"A quart of wheat for a denarius, and 3 quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine"-John
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