During the summer months, prices are low and vegetables are plentiful. In Shanghai, where winter temperatures generally don't go below 10° C, vegetables grow year-round and prices don't vary much from summer to winter as they do in Beijing, where fresh produce sold during the winter is grown locally in small greenhouses or brought up from the southern parts of China.

I saw surprisingly little haggling over price, which I found especially surprising in Shanghai, given the Shanghainese penchant to bargain for anything.   Shoppers were generally more keen on the quality of produce and precise weights than price. To extent that I saw any haggling, it would be to ask for a few more pieces to be thrown in without charge.

Shoppers select very carefully.

Very little price haggling.

Continue on to Street Life of Watermelons and Cabbage