Low yield and drought in many parts of Karnataka have hit the supply of vegetables to Bengaluru and shot up prices. Traders warn of difficult days ahead if the vegetable stock continues to shrink.
The supply of vegetables to KR Puram market, a major market in Bengaluru, has been declining for the last two weeks. If the market received 200-300 tonnes of vegetables per day earlier, the supply has come down to just 50-60 tonnes now, traders say.
KR Puram Market Association president, Yele Srinivas, said the market received vegetables from Kolar, Mandya, Srinivasapur, Hosur, Krishnagiri and the surrounding places. “Tomato supply has been particularly hit. Earlier, we would get 5,000 bags of tomatoes but now we get just 2,000,” he said, urging the state government to use alternative options as the vegetable shortage was likely to persist.
Kalasipalyam, one of the largest wholesale markets in the city, is also facing shortage of vegetables. Wholesale traders said the number of vegetable trucks making trips to the market had come down from 100 to just 25 in the last one week.
Biggest supplier
“Kolar is the biggest supplier of tomatoes to Bengaluru. There has been no supply from there for the last 20 days. We are procuring tomatoes from Maharashtra,” said Vegetable Merchants’ Association president, R V Gopi. Fortunately, the supply of fruits has not been affected, he said.
Anthony, a vegetable wholesaler from Bazaar Street, Yeshwantpur, said that he was procuring 100 kg of beans every day from Kalasipalyam, down from 200 kg earlier.
Tomatoes, which cost Rs 10 per kg in wholesale markets earlier, are now priced at Rs 40. The prices of beans have gone up from Rs 35-40 to Rs 70 and carrots from Rs 20 to Rs 40. Radish costs Rs 25, up from Rs 15.
G M Diwakar of KR Market Traders’ Association said the prices would continue to shoot up in the coming days. “Even if it rains, it will take time for farmers to get the yield. With more demand and less supply, the prices will only increase,” he said.
Veggie prices
Vegetables April 26 May 3
Beans Rs 98 Rs 148
Double Beans Rs 80 Rs 168
Tomato Rs 29 Rs 48
Carrot Rs 43 Rs 49
Radish Rs 32 Rs 40
Source: Hopcoms website; prices per kg