KOLKATA: The announcement on easing of restrictions instilled confidence in vendors and as a result, prices started to cool off from Thursday itself — a day before ease in curbs comes into effect. Since the vegetable production after Yaas has been robust, the prices are expected to fall further in coming weeks.
“We always ran the risk of ending up with unsold perishable commodities since the window for selling things was restricted to five hours in the morning. We were thus buying smaller quantities from the wholesale markets to sell them in retail ones,” said Gobindo Basak, a retailer at Orphangunge Market in Kidderpore.
“Curbs hit the supply lines and prices of commodities soared significantly. But we all had to comply with the restrictions to tide over the crisis. The record spikes in diesel prices were also responsible. But the vegetable growers have started making a turnaround after the Yaas setback. So, we are hopeful that prices of vegetables will go further south. But we are advising market committees not to lower their Covid guard,” said Kamal De, president, Bengal Vendors’ Association.
Right from potato to tomato, egg-plant to French beans, prices dropped significantly on Thursday. Prices of most of the vegetables dropped by at least Rs 10 a kg. “This will certainly soothe our nerves. The rising prices sent the kitchen budget on fire,” said Rabin Ghosh, a medical representative from Parnashree.
Retired economics professor and a resident of Kankulia Road, Soumendra Nath Bagchi, said: “I buy vegetables and fish from Gariahat. It is a relief to know that I can once again go to the market in the early morning and evening hours. I prefer these time slots to avoid the rush.” Retired BSF officer Suhrid Chandra Paul said that the relaxation will help vegetable sellers bring in more stocks.
“It made no sense to pay higher transportation charge for small quantities. With normalcy returning, we can sell vegetables in the evening, too,” said Manik Ghosh, a vendor.
