The recent spell of unseasonal rain and hailstorms in the northern region, coupled with shortage of supplies from the other States, has triggered an upsurge in the prices of vegetables to as high as Rs100 per kg. According to sources, the prices are likely to shoot up further with the Met Department predicting more rain in the national Capital.
Essentials like coriander leaves, garlic, ginger, lemon and green chilli are being sold between Rs120 to 200 per kg, while basic vegetables like bitter gourd, ladyfinger, ridge gourd, fenugreek leaves and capsicum are Rs100 per kg. “The supply of green vegetables from neighbouring States has reduced to about 40-50 per cent in Delhi and the situation is likely to continue, if rainfall persists,” a retailer said. Just last month, bitter gourd and ladyfinger were being sold at Rs40 per kg, while ridged gourd was Rs20 per kg.
Ginger, which was Rs50 per kg last month, is now being sold at Rs120 per kg. Price of cauliflower and cabbage also increased almost 100 per cent in the past one month, from Rs20 to 40 per kg and Rs40 to 45 per kg, respectively. “Persistent rains have destroyed my cabbage and cauliflower crops,” said Bharat Singh, a farmer from Dichau Kalan in Najafgarh — which is famous for its cabbage and cauliflowers. The rates are all the more steep in posh colonies like Greater Kailash, Vasant Vihar, Civil lines, Model Town. Prices of onions and potatoes, although currently stable, may see a hike over the next few days.
“Rain and waterlogging, have essentially delayed harvesting of some vegetables. Most of the leafy vegetables have also been destroyed due to the weather,” says Azadpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) member Rajendra Kumar. “The increase in vegetable prices has increased my monthly budget to almost thrice,” said Sunita Singh, a housewife from trans-Yamuna’s Mayur Vihar area.