Unseasonal rain in the northern region of the country has sharply increased vegetable prices in Delhi. Prices of leafy vegetables like spinach and other winter staples such as carrots, cauliflowers and peas have shot up as much as 70-100 per cent in the national Capital over the last five days.
However, the prices of vegetables vary depending on the location of colonies. The rates are very high in posh colonies like Greater Kailash, Vasant Vihar, Civil lines, Model Town, while prices are comparatively lower in colonies such as laxmi Nagar, Patparganj, Mandawali, Bhajanpura and Yamuna Vihar areas. The prices of onions and potatoes are stable as there is no supply constraint right now, but these two may see a hike in the next few days.
The price of cauliflower has doubled to Rs40 per kg within a few days. Similarly, the rate of peas has also increased from Rs25 per kg to Rs40 per kg in the retail market. Spinach (palak) price was Rs10 per kg on March 1 in the retail market, but it is now being sold at Rs30-35 per kg in the market. At Safal outlets, the price of spinach has increased by 60 per cent to Rs34 per kg, from Rs16 per kg on March 1, due to disruption in supply from spinach-growing States.
Prices of methi and bathua have increased marginally by Rs5 per kg to Rs35 in over last five days, while coriander rate has gone up by 30 per cent to Rs69 per kg in the same period. Tomato price is stable between Rs35-40 per kg.
Among other vegetables, carrot price has increased sharply by 70 per cent to Rs30 per kg, from Rs17.90 per kg; cauliflower price is up at Rs19.90 per kg, from 15.90; cabbage to Rs17.90 per kg from 13.90 per kg in the said period at Safal outlets in Delhi and NCR.
Mother Dairy’s Safal outlets are selling potatos at Rs11.90 per kg and onions at Rs30 per kg. Even vegetable hawkers are selling these two commodities more or less at these rates. However, a sharp jump in retail prices have been seen in leafy vegetables and some winter vegetables. The prices in unorganised markets vary in different colonies.
“Due to unseasonal rain and waterlogging, harvesting of some vegetables has been delayed. There is 40-45 per cent jump in rates of leafy green vegetables and 30-35 per cent in other vegetables,” says Azadpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) member Rajendra Kumar.
“The supply of spinach is not much in mandis as the crop is waterlogged due to recent unseasonal rain. The supply is expected to improve after Holi when farmers will resume harvesting,” a trader at Okhla Mandi said.