Consumers make the most of fall in veggie prices

In the last few days, the vegetable market is abuzz with customers. Reason: most of the veggie prices have been slashed to half.

Good rains in July have cheered up the farming community. It has resulted in the reduction of vegetable prices, which had skyrocketed a month ago.

“Except a few unseasonal vegetables, most of them are being sold at for Rs 20 per kg. With hardly any weddings or ceremonies held during Ashada, there was also less demand for vegetables . Hence, there was a sudden drop in the prices of veggies, said Anand, Managing Director, Horticultural Produce Cooperative Marketing Society (HOPCOMS).

While Tuesday marks the end of Ashada and the beginning of the festival season, slight fluctuation in the prices of vegetables is expected, he adds.

Just a couple of months ago, the price of beans was Rs 120 per kg. It was hovering around Rs 70 a fortnight ago. It is sold being at Rs 15 and Rs 20 per kg presently. Even the price of tomatoes had sharply risen. Presently, it is being sold at Rs 7 per kg and hybrid variety is being sold at Rs 10 per kg.

Says Anand, “With onset of monsoon, small farmers had sown vegetables which are being harvested now. With rise in production, a large quantity of vegetables has arrived in the market, hence the reduction in price.

On August 2, beans, carrot, brinjals, cabbage, ridge gourd, bottle gourd were being sold at Rs 20 per kg. Knol khol, beetroot, lady’s finger is being sold at Rs 30 per kg, capsicum Rs 50 per kg and drumstick is being sold at Rs 70 per kg, which is highest amongst all. Coriander, mint, methi and other greens, which earlier being sold at Rs 10 per bunch. It is now being sold below Rs 5 per bunch, depending on size.

Fruits prices stable

However, the price of bananas has not come down though the price of other locally available fruits are being sold at Rs 30 per kg. The elakki variety of banana is being sold at Rs 54 per kg and the pacchabale variety at Rs 22.

Srinivas from Hopcoms said, “The price of bananas has not reduced because there is no arrival of bananas to the market. With the festival season round the corner, the traders are not harvesting bananas. They will be harvested just a few days before the Varamahalakshmi festival which is on August 12, so that they can get earn a good profit.”

If the produce is more than the demand, there are chances of price reducing beyond expectation, Srinivas added.

Meanwhile, customers are making the most of price slash. Vegetable vendors and retail traders are also glad that the business is good.