Veg prices yet to stabilise

Tangy lemon rice garnished with finely chopped coriander leaves, which used to be favourite breakfast, or ‘kosambari’ with chopped cucumber and coriander leaves, a favoured salad, are slowly disappearing from the plates.

Thanks to the steady increase in prices of coriander and cucumber, which has ceased to subside, causing anxiety among the homemakers.

Usually, the prices of vegetables fall during the month of ‘Ashada’, as there are no weddings or functions held during the ‘inauspicious’ period. On the contrary, the prices have soared this year.

Though the prices started to increase last month, it reached its peak about two weeks ago, leaving the common man perplexed. 

Delay in monsoon, depleting ground water level and drying up of water bodies has resulted in less yield, automatically having an impact on the selling price.

Cucumbers, which are usually cultivated largely in Holenarasipura and in the surrounding villages of Mysore district is being sold at Rs 10 to 12 apiece, and at Rs 40 per kg. Coriander leaves are sold at Rs 120 per kg and each bunch at Rs 10.

Onions, one of the main ingredients in South Indian cooking has managed to stay above Rs 30. 

Tomatoes, which are considered the poor man’s fruit, is being sold at Rs 44 for hybrid variety and at Rs 32 for the local variety. Carrot and beetroot, the popular ‘English’ vegetables are being sold at Rs 54 and 40, respectively. Except for a few vegetables that are being sold at the range of Rs 20, a majority of them are costing more than Rs 40. Drumstick is available at Rs 65 due to unseason.

Coconuts, which were earlier sold per piece, are now being weighed, following the trend in Bangalore. 

One kg of coconut is priced at Rs 36.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Nagaraj of HOPCOMS, Vontikoppal, said that there was a slight fluctuation in the prices every day. Though the surrounding areas had experienced slight rainfall, the prices were yet to be stabilised, he said.