For the middle calls denizens of the city two-time meals at home is turning dearer. The sky rocketing prices of vegetables are on rise and there are fears of shortage and sharp increase in prices in the coming weeks.
The prices of tomato, potato, coriander, onion, radish and carrot are touching the sky and this is due to variety of reasons from inadequate rainfall, low yield of crops to a drop in supply from the neighbouring states and fluctuation in transportation cost.
Price of tomatoes which was ranging between `10-12 per kg few weeks ago is now `22 per kg. Coriander price have shot up to `200 per kg from `100 per kg, while potatoes are selling `22 per kg up from `10 per kg, onion is `28 per kg of `10 per kg.
Pandra Krishi Bazaar Samiti president Anil Sahu said, “The prices of vegetables are expected to reach an all time high this year. Most of the farmers have not taken up sowing due to deficit rainfall this year. Depending on the rain farmers here will commence the sowing work. Moreover, supply of vegetables from Nasik and Kolkata has also come down due to scanty rainfall and it is likely to decline more in the coming days.”
Season for big onion started from May 20 and arrivals had to start a week ahead. This year, in contrast, arrivals are coming after May 20. Moreover, looking at the high prices of the vegetables retailers are reducing purchase from the wholesale dealers as a result of which they are going to incur losses from wastage . In the coming weeks prices of vegetables are going to increase further as supply of vegetables will go down with the onset of festival season.
“Every year during this month the price of vegetables fluctuates but this year’s fluctuation is a bit high as compared to previous years. We are selling our vegetables at no profit no loss basis as due to high prices it demand has gone down,” said vegetable seller at Nagababa Khatal Hira Kumar.
Besides, prices of cluster beans, carrot, and cabbage had remained high for the past two months, rates of onion and potatoes have also increased in manifolds in past one month.
Joint Secretary at Agriculture and Sugarcane Department Ram Prasad Sahai said, “Supply of vegetables have been affected due to scanty rainfall which resulted in low yield of crops.” However, he also pointed that due to fluctuation in transportation cost the prices of good supply vegetables have also gone up.