Vegetable prices shoot up by 75%
   Date :08-Sep-2020

Vegetable prices_1 &
 
 
Business Reporter :
 
RAIPUR,
 
VEGGIES have become costlier by 75 per cent in the local market owing to crop damage by recent torrential rains across the State and scarce supply in the capital. Apart from severe impact of coronavirus has drastically reduced normal business activities for past 7 months, crop-damage further deepened the crisis of cash starved vegetable farming sector. The vegetable growers whose standing crops got damaged will have to go for fresh plantations and the produce is expected to reach market in the month of November. The scooping prices have taken veggies out of the reaches of common man and the Indian platter mostly sans vegetables among other items in the routine menu.
 
Besides the spiraling prices, gap between demand and supply has widened to such an extent that it has made consumers think twice and make provisions before hopping in the vegetable market under the tensed COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the retailers and vendors who sell vegetables in different localities have also drastically reduced purchase owing to drop in sale and fast decaying of un-sold vegetables. As such, losses suffered owing to heavy investment on small quantity also worsened the locality-wise retailing. While talking to ‘The Hitavada,’ President of Shree Ram Thok Sabji Mandi, Dumartarai T Srinivas Reddy informed that normally during rainy season there is fluctuation in prices of vegetables.
 
However, this year unprecedented recent showers and excess water retained in the farms have made survival of standing crops difficult. Though the prices of some vegetables have come down by Rs 5 to Rs 7 per kg on Saturday and Sunday, he said that abnormal scoop in prices still persists. Tomato sold in wholesale at Rs 40 per kg is available in retail at Rs 60, drumstick prices at Rs 70 per kg in wholesale is offered at Rs 100 in retail, lady finger priced at Rs 40 per kg in wholesale is sold in retail at Rs 60 to 80 and ridge gourd priced in wholesale at Rs 60 per kg is sold at Rs 120 in retail.
 
However, green coriander scooped at Rs 250 per kg few days back has finally receded to Rs 150 in retail market. Cauliflower, cabbage and green chilly are sold in retail at Rs 100, Rs 50 and Rs 70 per kg respectively he added. A vegetable wholesaler on condition of anonymity said that retailers are also taking advantage of the tight market position in the capital and increasing prices as per their whims and point out to limited timing factor. Many door-to-door vendors are charging exorbitant prices than the existing rates while putting blame on wholesalers, he added.