Retail prices of vegetables in Delhi have declined by 25 per cent to 50 per cent in the past few days. Prices of tomato, brinjal, cauliflower and cabbage have declined up to 50 per cent, while potato prices have declined up to 50 per cent. Higher production of vegetable in neighbouring States and demonetisation of high value notes are said to be the main reason.
Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) former chairman Rajender Sharma said shortage of cash post demonetisation and bumper production both are equally responsible in reducing prices low.
“Vegetable traders at Azadpur Mandi are severely hit by demonetisation and find it hard to pay to the farmers for their produce. Farmers are left with option to either sell their product on credit or on low prices. Good harvesting is also a reason of low vegetable prices,” he added.
In the retail market, the prices are drastically reduced as earlier tomatoes were sold at Rs 30 per kg and now it is being sold at Rs 15 due to decline in demand as compared to prices. Cauliflower sold at Rs 20 earlier, declined to Rs 15. Similarly brinjal and potato are being sold at Rs 10 per kg while it was sold at Rs 25 and Rs 20 respectively. Onion prices have reduced from Rs 20 a kg to Rs 18 after demonetisation. The prices of carrots have come down to Rs 20 per kg as against Rs 40 a month back.
Meanwhile a trader at Azadpur mandi who deals in cauliflower had different opinion. He said supply is more than the demand so he does not have any option except selling it at throw away prices. And so farmers are also doing the same. Barring green peas, which continue to sell at close to Rs 40, about Rs 20 more than its normal price in this season, prices of most of the vegetables have registered a sharp drop.
However Rama Singh, a trader at Azadpur mandi said, “Moreover, there had been rise in arrival of all the vegetables in the market because of good production, led to decline in prices.”
Amarjeet Gupta, a vegetable vendor, said, “lack of currency notes is the major reason for the fall in prices. Even with easy withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes, situation is no improving as I cannot exchange Rs 2,000 in lower denomination for just Rs 100.” “The consumer, who would earlier buy vegetables for Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per week, is now buying vegetables for Rs 100 to Rs 200 per week,” said Ajit Kumar, a vegetable vendor. Consumers are happy with low prices and attributed them to demonetisation.
“The prices of vegetables have declined after demonetisation. Today, I bought different vegetable while spending less money than earlier. I purchased five kg potato for just Rs 40 in Sunday market. While enquiring prices of other vegetable I was taken aback as I have never shopped vegetables at such a low prices. Hence, I did purchase in huge quantity,” said Parvez Malik, an IAS aspirants who lives at Hudson lane.