TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Flooding caused by Typhoon Gaemi has caused vegetable prices to increase to a five-year high in Taipei, reports said on Sunday (Aug. 4).

According to Taipei’s agriculture department, about 30% fewer vegetables than normal arrived in markets on Sunday, per the China Times. The average wholesale price per kilogram increased by NT$7 (US$0.21) to NT$57.5, as 1,011 tons of vegetables arrived in Taipei markets.

Taipei agriculture bureau Deputy Director Yao Chih-wang (姚志旺) said that prices have likely peaked, and should return to normal by September. Yao said because vegetable markets are closed on Mondays, demand was high on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Taoyuan’s agriculture department said on Monday that it would begin to release more refrigerated vegetables into the market to ease pressure on price increases, per CNA. Bureau inspectors said they had decided after market surveys showed consumer prices were increasing alongside wholesale prices.

The department said as it was carrying out inspections it encouraged the public not to hoard vegetables, which would further drive up prices.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Typhoon Gaemi caused nearly NT$2 billion in agricultural losses when it impacted Taiwan in late July. Yunlin, Chiayi, and other vegetable-producing areas were particularly affected.