JOIN USWith the prices of vegetables skyrocketing in the last few days in the City, the common man has begun avoiding a few veggies. Low yield, coupled with the rainfall that lashed several parts of the State, has resulted in spiralling prices since a week.
While the cost of onions and tomatoes has remained stable, the prices of other vegetables have shot up.
“The City gets its supply mainly from Anekal, Hoskote, Chikkaballapur, Devanahalli, Magadi and surrounding areas. Farmers have complained that their crops have been destroyed due to rains. It will take a while to get fresh yield. Among all vegetables, the price of cauliflower has hit the roof. While the wholesale rate is Rs 40 per piece, the retail price stands at Rs 65-70,” Wholesale Vegetable Merchants’ Association president R V Gopi said.
Similarly, the price of beans has escalated from Rs 20 to Rs 40 per kg to Rs 60. The average price of brinjal is Rs 30-Rs 40.
Traders maintained that the cost of vegetables has increased by 40 per cent.
K R Market Traders’ Association president G M Diwakar said vegetable prices were likely to remain high at least for another two weeks.
“However, the price of peas has come down. A kg of peas used to cost Rs 200 to Rs 250 earlier. But since a week, it is sold at Rs 160 to Rs 180,” he added.
Meanwhile, it is raining misery on vegetable buyers. They do not have any option, but to tighten their belts. Muniraju, a resident of Hennur, said: “We have not been buying carrots, beans and cauliflower since the past week. Even greens are not affordable as they cost above Rs 40 per bunch. A few greens such as Chakota, Sabbakki are not available in the market.”
Hopcoms president H K Nagaveni told Deccan Herald that when there is a shortage of arrivals, the price rise happens automatically.
“Whenever we do not get enough supply from farmers, we source it from local markets. Presently, there is a shortage of cauliflowers in the market,” she added.