Vegetable prices go all time high during festivals as almost all vegetables are now being sold at more than Rs 50 a kg which is causing heavy pressure on common mem's kitchen budget.
For over one and half months, Potatoes and onions, which are most essential among vegetables, are now being sold at Rs 50 and Rs 70 a kg respectively. Similarly, tomatoes are now being sold in the market at Rs 60 per kg instead of Rs 20 per kg, affecting the budget of the common people. People believe that the prices of vegetables were controlled during the lockdown, but there has been a sudden increase in vegetables after unlocking, which has spoiled the kitchen Budget. After the lockdown, prices of vegetables are continuously increasing. Vegetable prices were normal from March to May, but since July prices of vegetables have started to rise suddenly and prices of vegetables are increasing every week.
Rates of green vegetables are also high since two months earlier. The rate of Cauliflower, Cabbage, Ladyfinger, Bitter Gourd and others are also touching the sky in the festive season spoiling the mood of people. Rate of Cauliflower is Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg, Cabbage is selling at rate of Rs 50 to Rs 70 a kg, Ladyfinger is Rs 60 a kg and Bitter Gourd is selling at rate of Rs 60 to Rs 80 a kg in retail markets. Only Pumpkin among green vegetables is selling at below Rs 50, it is selling at Rs 20 to Rs 40 in retail market.
Traders say that prices have increased due to short supply. Due to heavy rains in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, standing kharif crop has also been damaged, due to which supply has been disrupted.
Significantly, the traders of the wholesale market of onion are saying that there is no hope of relief for a month at the moment. It is estimated that the vegetables will be expensive till the new crop comes. Traders are expecting that fresh arrival of vegetables will give some sigh of relief to people from high rates of vegetables.
Expressing his unhappiness over vegetable price rise, Rajesh Prasad resident of Kanke Road, Ranchi said people it has become difficult for people like us who are not salaried class. He decided not to buy vegetables in his weekly purchases because of the increased prices of it, as he cannot tolerate it.