Over 30 percent rise in vegetable prices in retail markets

Due to a scarcity of vegetables over the past two weeks, prices for them have risen by 20–30% in retail markets.

Some vendors stated that since there will be fewer vegetable deliveries in the upcoming weeks, prices might increase even more. A lack of water is making it difficult for farmers in some of the district’s tehsils to grow vegetables. According to vendors, this has led to a decrease in the supply of all vegetables over the past few weeks.

The consumption of most vegetables has decreased, according to a senior official from the Market Yard’s vegetable section, as a result of many farmers being unable to grow their crops because of unfavorable weather and crop loss from November’s unusually high rainfall. The market is currently feeling the effects of this.

There has also been a notable spike in the cost of leafy vegetables, which are frequently unstable. Depending on the size, colour, and variety, a bunch of coriander can be purchased for anywhere between Rs 15 and Rs 20. For fenugreek, dill, spinach, and other vegetables, a similar pattern is noted. In retail markets, a bunch of fenugreek costs between Rs 20 and Rs 30, dill costs between Rs 10 and Rs 15, and spinach costs between Rs 15 and Rs 25.

Growing leafy vegetables is a difficult endeavor, according to a farmer, because they cannot withstand even a small change in weather. Now, because of the cloudy weather during the first week of December, most vegetables do not have acceptable growth and colour.

Okra and brinjal are currently being sold in retail markets for between Rs 80 and Rs 120 per kg. Moreover, cauliflower and cabbage cost between Rs 40 and 60 per kg.

One resident of Moshi reported noticing that deals last for a short period of time. They consistently pay two times the wholesale cost.

Farmers and purchasers are always on the receiving end, according to a local. In the future, this won’t alter unless a suitable system is in place.

Some farmers attributed the price increase to the high cost of fertilizers and pesticides. According to a Khed tehsil activist, farm laborers are not available in the market. Thus, a farmer must perform a variety of tasks, such as watering, applying pesticides, and selling produce at markets. Consequently, a large number of farmers produce vegetables in modest amounts.