Coronavirus Outbreak Sparks Rice Shortage at Asian Markets

Local Asian food markets are experiencing empty shelves when it comes to rice. According to Good Deal Oriental Market general manager Mai Neng Vue, the rice shortage is due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Vue said Good Deal Oriental in North Minneapolis sold about 500 rice bags in just three days. 

She added that the wholesaler had to cancel delivery on Wednesday due to the high demand. Good Deal Oriental employees say the increase of sale was staggering and it wasn’t until they talked to customers that they found out what spurred this behavior. 

“A lot of customer who came here today and they were telling me about the coronavirus, they thought we were going to have a lock down like how they had it in Wuhan, China. But I told them the lock down is just in China just for their safety,” said Vue.

Vue stated that they have been getting phone calls nonstop from customers asking about rice bags. Vue said she hopes people stop panicking. The store had to put up signs telling people to only grab what they need.

Because of the rice shortage, Vue said she also noticed noodles also boosting in sales.