Prices of many seasonal vegetables have doubled as excessive rains have damaged crops, particularly tomatoes, brinjals and onions. Prices have soared from a high base a year ago, when an extended dry patch had crimped output.
“Heavy rains have destroyed crops in large parts of India in July. Nearly 60% of the crop has been damaged which has pushed up prices,” said Shriram Gadhave, president, All India Vegetable Growers Association.
Prices of pointed gourd and ladies finger are now hovering around Rs 40-45 (0.65 to 0.75 dollar cents) per kg in Delhi. “Generally during this time, prices of these vegetables should be around Rs 20 – 25 (0.32 – 0.41 dollar cents) per kg. But this year it has almost doubled. Prices of tomato are hovering around Rs 40 – 50 (0.65 – 0.75 dollar cents) per kg depending on the availability. There has been a crop loss in Delhi and its adjoining regions which has pushed up prices,” said Dilip Gupta, owner of Shankar Vegetable Shop in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar.
He added that while tomato and onion prices are high, they have fallen a bit from the record level in June. However, retail prices remained more than 40% higher than the wholesale rates. He said supplies were expected to pick up by the middle of the month if rainfall is normal, not excessive. Vegetable vendors and retailers say that inundated fields have destroyed leafy and green vegetables.
The price of onion, a common ingredient in many dishes, is rising due a supply squeeze on account of last year’s drought in key growing areas, and traders expect prices to spiral up further in a month as demand remains strong due to Ramadan. The wholesale price has risen about 50% in a month, although retail prices have more than doubled in some places like Mumbai Rs30 – 35 per kg (0.49 – 0.57 dollar cents).
In Bengal, consumers are paying Rs40 (0.65 dollar cents) for a kg of onion while tomatoes are fetching Rs50 (0.82 dollar cents) a kg. Price of brinjal is Rs50 – 60 (0.82 – 0.98 dollar cents) per kg depending on availability. “There is no reason why prices should go up abnormally even though crops have got damaged. The middlemen and unscrupulous traders are also playing their part in jacking up prices,” pointed out Gadhave.
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Editor: Basem Sobhy