BHOPAL: Prolonged rain and hike in fuel prices have led to a sharp spike in prices of vegetables ahead of Dussehra — which might push the prices up further.
Heavy rains damaged many crops, with vegetables rotting in fields, say farmers. This has led to shortage in supply in market, pushing up the prices. On Monday, coriander was being sold at a rate of Rs 200 per kg. Prices of all green vegetables are on a higher side. Seasonal cauliflower which should have started flooding the markets is being sold at Rs 60-80/kg, tomato is Rs 60 a kg, spinach Rs 60/kg and so on.
Vendors going around the localities carry lesser vegetables — both in quality and quantity.
Javed Khan, a wholesaler in mandi said, “There has been a considerable decline in the amount of vegetables reaching Bhopal mandi.”
“ First it was too much rainfall followed by too hard sunlight. Besides, the transportation charges , first from farm to mandi and then mandi to the retailer is also adding to the price”, he explained.
Raja Kushwah, a farmer on the city outskirts said, “ I have incurred a huge loss. There was hardly any growth in cauliflower and the hara dhania has decayed. So was the case of spinach”.
This is likely to go on for almost two to three weeks till the new crop grows and reach markets, he said
Neha Marwah, a homemaker said, “Prices are rising every day. You can’t not buy vegetables. We have started curtailing use of vegetable which are getting too pricey.”
