Prices of most vegetables have shot up sharply in the last ten days, making it difficult for the middle class families to manage their household budget in the national Capital.
Prices of common vegetables like green peas, onion, pumpkin (kaddu) Fenugreek leaves (Methi Patta/Methi ka saag), Green Mustard (Sarson ka saag), Chenopodium (bathua), Spinach (palak), Ridge Gourd (tori) tomato, cabbage, lady finger and brinjal, have gone up manifold in the last ten days.
A survey of the local vegetable market shows most vegetables are out of bounds for people. Coriander leaves (hara dhania) is being sold at Rs 150 a kg, pumpkin at Rs 70 a kg while Spinach (Palak) between Rs 60 to 70 a kg. Similarly, the retail price of Green Mustard (Sarson ka saag) has also increased to Rs 70 a kg. Fenugreek leaves (Methi patta) is being sold at Rs 65 a kg. Bathua (Chenopodium) is also being sold at Rs 60 a kg.
Both onion and tomato are being sold between Rs 50 and Rs 60 a kg depending on the areas. Green peas also cost Rs 75 a kg. Broccoli cost in the retail market is Rs 150 a kg while yellow capsicum cost Rs 120 per kilo. lady finger, cabbage and ridge gourd is being sold at Rs 40 a kg. This is the first time that prices of vegetables have registered on the higher side during the months of October and November. According to vegetable traders, Potato is being sold at Rs 10 a kg and this is the only vegetable which is cheaper this time.
Interestingly, Fenugreek leaves will cost Rs 200 per kg while the green peas cost Rs 75 a kg at Big Basket online shopping. Similarly, Celery is being sold Rs 120 a kg. lemon Grass is being sold at Rs 130 a kg. Chinese cabbage also costs Rs 99 a kg while Oak Red (organically grown) will cost Rs 120 a kg.
Rajendra Sharma, former chairman of Azadpur Mandi told The Pioneer that prices of leafy vegetables are expected to be decreased by the second week of November when new crops come to the market. The most of the vegetables come to Delhi from neighbouring states Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Western Uttar Pradesh.
The new crops are yet to arrive at the market that was the reason prices of leafy vegetables are high.
According to Sharma, the pumpkin was sold at Rs 10 a kg while spinach was sold at Rs 20 a kg during the same period last year. Similarly, the rate of green mustard, fenugreek leaves, Chenopodium was between Rs 25 and Rs 30 a kg last year.
The rate of lady finger, cabbage, Shimla Mirch (capsicum) also high this year as compared to last year. Presently, these vegetables are being sold at Rs 40 a kg. last year the rates were between Rs 20 and Rs 25 per kg. Sharma further stated that rate of Coriander leaves will come down by December first week.
Another reason for the rise in the prices, as pointed out by a vendor, was that many traders — including wholesalers, retailers and vendors — have started stocking up to earn higher profits. “Knowing full well that the vegetable prices are on the ascendancy, the traders are keeping their stocks and only releasing small quantities. This is leading to an artificial scarcity which is further pushing up the prices,” said a vendor.
Ramu Prasad, a vegetable vendor said the prices of leafy vegetables such as Fenugreek leaves, pumpkin, Green Mustard, Chenopodium, Spinach, Ridge Gourd are high this year due to short supply.
During October and November, the prices of leafy vegetables come down due to new crops and higher supply. People expect fall of vegetable prices after Diwali. This year, Diwali was in October, otherwise, it falls in November. Sunita, a housewife, who resides in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi said that the budget of middle-class families has been disturbed as they are commonly consumed vegetables.