After prices of vegetables surged during Diwali, consumers got another shock as prices suddenly rose again due to shortage in the market. The rates of tomato, pea, ladies finger and green beans have gone up, affecting the kitchen budget. The vegetable vendors have blamed it on festival period during which the prices usually go up and also expressed hope that fresh vegetables coming next week would bring down prices.
At present, tomatoes are costing Rs 60 per kg, ladies’ finger Rs 60, peas Rs 70-80 per kg and green beans Rs 70 per kg. The prices of cauliflower and carrots have also increased compared to their usual rates. Coming as it does after the price of pulses went up to Rs 200 per kg, consumers are finding it tough to manage their expenses.
“It usually happens that the prices of vegetables go up during Diwali or festival season. Also we did not order much stock considering the vacation period during Diwali.
“At present, tomatoes, pea, ladies finger and green beans have become expensive. But we are hoping that fresh vegetables coming in next few days will reduce the rates,” Raju Patil, a vegetable wholesaler in APMC Vashi market, said.
As pulses become expensive, the consumer depends more on vegetables, resulting in a natural increase in their prices, said another vegetable vendor.
“The demand for the vegetables is more after pulses’ prices have gone up. Also the crop of tomatoes that came this time was less compared to last season. In some areas, deficient rainfall has affected the vegetables,” Somnath Pawale, a retail vegetable vendor from Sion, said.
Another wholesaler from the APMC market said the arrival of cauliflower from Gujarat, carrot from Rajasthan and pea from Karnataka would reduce the vegetable prices.
